How Illinois May Bumble Its Way Into Electing a Senate Moderate

"Illinois Democrats deserve to be represented by someone who more closely shares their values. Unfortunately, with Krishnamoorthi leading most polls by double digits, time is running out and the state's progressives may fall victim to a vote-splitting fiasco."

"He's a member of the 109-member New Democrat Coalition in the House, which on its own should be enough to disqualify him from serving as a US senator from a Democratic stronghold state. The coalition opposes Medicare for All and supports gargantuan Homeland Security budgets and blank checks to Israel."

"Krishnamoorthi is part of a long, unhappy lineage of Democrats whose boldest proposals involve tinkering with the tax code or the healthcare system on the margins and calling it a day."

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin's retirement opens a safe Democratic Senate seat in a blue stronghold. However, moderate Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi has dominated the primary race with double-digit polling leads while most Democrats focus on Trump and competitive Senate races elsewhere. Progressive Illinois Democrats argue Krishnamoorthi, a New Democrat Coalition member, doesn't align with their values on issues like Medicare for All, Homeland Security spending, and Israel policy. His voting record reflects incremental rather than transformative policy approaches. With limited time remaining and vote-splitting concerns, progressives face challenges nominating a candidate who better represents the state's Democratic base.

Read at The Nation