Congresswoman Robin Kelly announced early Tuesday, May 6, that she is running to succeed Sen. Dick Durbin in the U.S. Senate.
Kelly is a mom, a former mental health counselor, and a relentless advocate for safety and public health, who since 2013 has represented Illinoisans as the 2nd Congressional District representative serving urban, suburban, and rural communities. She represents Homewood and Flossmoor in Congress.
She said she is running for the Senate to make Illinois safer from crime and gun violence, to lower costs for families and tackle health inequities.
“Every day, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Congressional Republicans are targeting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, and passing policies that raise costs for Illinois families, small businesses, and farmers,” Kelly said. “This moment requires proven leaders who have the experience to take on the toughest battles. I’ve never backed down – not from gun lobbyists, not from MAGA extremists, and certainly not from a fight for what’s right.”
Kelly touted her ability to deliver results during her time as an elected leader. As a member of the Illinois House, she wrote legislation with then-state Sen. Barack Obama and now-Illinois Senate President Don Harmon to hold gun dealers accountable for illegal sales to straw purchasers.
In Congress, she led the sit-in on the House floor to protest inaction on gun violence and co-sponsored landmark legislation protecting victims of domestic violence. Her push helped pass the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in 30 years.
Kelly also has been a champion for health equity, passing legislation to dramatically expand coverage for maternal health care by extending Medicaid postpartum coverage from six weeks to a year.