Illinois GOP U.S. Senate candidates point to economy, Trump gains

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Economic issues are front and center for Republican U.S. Senate candidates in Illinois.

Former Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy is the most recognizable figure on his side of the aisle after announcing his candidacy last week.

Tracy said the economy is the standout issue, but Midwestern values are also very important.

“I’m running to champion Midwestern values in D.C. I’m running to reduce the cost of living. Also, I’m running to represent all of Illinois, not just Chicago,” Tracy told The Center Square.

Author and publisher Jimmy Lee Tillman II said his campaign is focused on birthright citizenship and a basic wage, which would be less than minimum wage.

“It’s kind of hard for a child to get a basic foot on employment with this high minimum wage. Everybody agrees that a 14 or 15-year-old shouldn’t be making $18, $19 an hour, so that takes away their ability to get a foothold in the working class,” Tillman told The Center Square.

Republicans are hoping to build on President Donald Trump’s gains in the Land of Lincoln.

Tracy said Trump got 45% of the Illinois vote last November without spending money or working the state.

“But I’m going to focus not just on the voters that voted for President Trump, but also for the swing voters and even there are some Republicans that didn’t vote for President Trump. I believe in the big tent Republican Party. I believed that as state chairman, and I certainly believe it as a U.S. Senate candidate,” Tracy said.

Tillman said he is the Trump candidate and Tracy is not.

“Deep State Don, Never-Trumper Tracy is going to have a problem in Trump counties and districts,” Tillman said.

Pamela Denise Long, Doug Bennett, Casey Chlebek and R. Cary Capparelli are also running in the GOP field.

The filing period for the March 17, 2026, primary begins Oct. 27.

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