Durbin and Duckworth's Senate successors

[Suburbia]

Illinois Republicans can win at the statewide level, I don't think they can replicate Mark Kirk's 2010 success unless the right circumstances.

Who do you see as Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth's Senate successors?

Durbin: Cheri Bustos or Jerry Costello Jr. (Costello Jr. is a Glenn Poshard-Joe Manchin type Democrat. Democrats have Chicagoland as the party base but they should appeal to downstate IL as well)

Duckworth: If she is VP, Alexi Giannoulias would be a good replacement. He's 44 and still looks good for his age.

[brucejoel99]

Cheri Bustos, Lisa Madigan, & Daniel Biss all come to mind.

[Dr Oz Lost Party!]

Lauren Underwood and Cheri Bustos.

[We Live in Black and White]

Bustos is basically Durbin's handpicked successor, and I highly anticipate expect Underwood will go for Duckworth's seat in the event that Duckworth is picked as VP.

[Tekken_Guy]

I agree with the consensus. Bustos for Durbin (the Downstate seat) and Underwood for Duckworth (the Chicago seat).

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Durbin and Duckworth are staying in the SENATE 2020, 2022 and 2024 are Dem favored maps. Dems don't have term limits for statewide races, and Mayor Daley, Pat Quinn, Jesse White and Lisa Madigan have longevity. Dems should have a good majority in all three cycles. KS, MT, and NC looks good for D chances in 2020 as wave insurance

[Coolface Sock #42069]

Me and RINO Tom

[Ye We Can]

Me and RINO Tom

Endorsed. When can I volunteer?

[Meatball Ron]

I agree with the consensus. Bustos for Durbin (the Downstate seat) and Underwood for Duckworth (the Chicago seat).

I like this outcome but also huge fan of Daniel Biss so hope he'd be a contender for the Chicago seat, as well. Maybe if Underwood decides she wants to stay in the House or run for Governor down the line or something.

[Green Line]

Bustos, yes.  Underwood though would have an extremely tough time.  There are so many Chicago pols who would be eyeing an open Duckworth seat.  Underwoods popularity with the online left won't translate into votes or support among Chicago's Democratic organization.  The seat would almost undoubtedly go to someone in Cook County.

[Coolface Sock #42069]

Me and RINO Tom

Endorsed. When can I volunteer?

I’m 30, so as soon as Durbin announces his retirement, we’re good to go

[PAK Man]

Bustos for sure. I don't know about Underwood, though. Lisa Madigan will run for something someday, but I think she's waiting for her father to be out of the picture before she does, because whatever she does will be overshadowed by him and his influence.

[Landslide Lyndon]

Is Kwame Raoul more interested in becoming governor?

[Illiniwek]

Lol, not saying he'd win a primary, but keep an eye out for Rahm Emanuel to come out of the woodwork if a Senate seat comes open.

[jamestroll]

I would love to see Cheri Bustos run for US Senate. It is not like she will be able to hold on to her district indefinitely.

Though I have a hunch Lauren Underwood will run for US Senate or statewide within the next decade.

Sean Casten strikes me as someone who will stay in congress for a very long time and Rauner may be the last Republican to win the district's current boundaries for a very long time.

[brucejoel99]

Lol, not saying he'd win a primary, but keep an eye out for Rahm Emanuel to come out of the woodwork if a Senate seat comes open.

"The villages of Mayapur, India, speak of 5 stones that were given to Sankara by the Hindu god Shiva. Legend claims that he who holds the 5 stones will rule the world. I HAVE 4 OF THOSE STONES!" - Rahm Emanuel

[Gracile]

Bustos for sure. I don't know about Underwood, though. Lisa Madigan will run for something someday, but I think she's waiting for her father to be out of the picture before she does, because whatever she does will be overshadowed by him and his influence.

Eh, I don't know. Madigan has turned down the opportunity to run for another statewide office several times (when she could have very easily won), and I'm not entirely sure her father continuing to be Speaker is the whole reason. At the very least, she might be old news by the time a Senate seat opens up again.

[libertpaulian]

Lauren Underwood and Juliana Stratton.

[Green Line]

Lol, not saying he'd win a primary, but keep an eye out for Rahm Emanuel to come out of the woodwork if a Senate seat comes open.

That would be a dream come true.

[Donerail]

Two names that haven't been mentioned, but should: Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, if she wins, is a likely successor to Durbin — downstate and a former Durbin staffer. Bustos could still win, but Londrigan would likely have his backing.

The other candidate to watch is Raja Krishnamoorthi. He's got more than $6mil in his campaign account and continues to post massive fundraising numbers, despite not having an opponent this fall. Gotta spend it on something...

[Gracile]

Two names that haven't been mentioned, but should: Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, if she wins, is a likely successor to Durbin — downstate and a former Durbin staffer. Bustos could still win, but Londrigan would likely have his backing.

The other candidate to watch is Raja Krishnamoorthi. He's got more than $6mil in his campaign account and continues to post massive fundraising numbers, despite not having an opponent this fall. Gotta spend it on something...

Yes, Krishnamoorthi's impressive fundraising is a sign that he has his eye on something higher than the House. His media appearances during the Impeachment inquiry and Obama connections may also prove helpful in a future run.