Underdogs and endorsements: Inside the emerging 2026 Illinois Senate race

The big picture: Even though we are 245 days away from the March 2026 primary, the Democrats are starting to raise money … and spend it.

The latest: Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi is the first candidate to hit the airwaves, dropping hundreds of thousands of dollars on a new television and streaming ad characterizing himself as the "underdog" that will take on bullies like President Trump.

Yes, but: Rep. Robin Kelly announced she's raised $2.4 million for the race, so expect the South Side congresswoman to also be on airwaves soon.

The intrigue: Governor Pritzker's endorsed candidate, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, picked up a few more crucial allies this week, including Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel "Chris" Welch and several west suburban lawmakers.

The other side: The Republicans haven't been as active, but former Republican national committeeman and North suburban attorney Richard Porter is said to be kicking the tires on a run. Porter has played behind-the-scenes roles for the state party and hasn't been elected to office before.

• He once was a policy adviser for former President George W. Bush. While Porter has roots in the more established conservative party, he is also a firm believer in Trump and the MAGA political agenda.

What's next: More campaigning. The Cook County Democratic Party is slated to endorse candidates later this week. 245 days and counting…