Congresswoman Lauren Underwood would win next year’s Democratic race to replace retiring Dick Durbin for the U.S. Senate, according to a recent poll.
The poll conducted by 314 Action Fund, surveyed 773 likely 2026 Democratic Primary voters in Illinois.
The poll found that Underwood has the highest name recognition of the candidates in the field.
According to the poll, in a four-way ballot with Congressman Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Underwood had 33 percent of the vote, while Krishnamoorthi had 30 percent, Stratton had 16 percent and Kelly had 10 percent. The remaining 10 percent of voters were undecided.
The poll also said when voters were provided with more information about the candidates, Underwood’s lead increased to 42 percent of the vote compared to Krishnamoorthi’s 25 percent, Stratton’s 19 percent and Kelly’s 9 percent. Four percent were undecided.
So far, Stratton, Krishnamoorthi and Kelly have entered the race for U.S. Senate. Sources said Underwood would seriously consider running if Durbin retired, but she has yet to announce her candidacy.
According to the poll, if Kelly decided not to run, Underwood would pick up 45 percent of her voters. In the three-way ballot, 39 percent of voters would support Underwood, 32 percent would support Krishnamoorthi and 19 percent would support Stratton.
In the past several weeks, Underwood has been on the offensive after news reports said Governor J.B. Pritzker and his team are deterring Democrats from running as they support Stratton.
As Underwood remains Stratton’s biggest threat, reports also said Pritzker and his team were working behind the scenes telling donors that Underwood is “damaged goods.”
In response, Underwood told NBC 5 Chicago, “I was really so disappointed to hear that report. That just represents the ugliness of the machine politics that have characterized Illinois politics for decades,”
Pritzker denied the allegations, telling NBC 5 Chicago, “No, that’s ridiculous. Remember, I ran for Congress when I was 31 years old. And there were an awful lot of people who said to me that, ‘It’s not your turn.’ I ran anyway. In fact, we need more young people. We need the new generation. When there’s an open opportunity, everybody who’s interested in running should step forward and do so. I would not dissuade somebody from running for public office.”
After NBC Chicago’s report, Underwood said the governor’s team called and told her Pritzker “really respects” her.
Stratton has been endorsed by Pritzker and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth. Durbin said in news reports he’s not planning to endorse anyone but “hasn’t ruled it out” either.
“The voters have the last word. And if you run a campaign that is dirty, the voters have their impression of it, and some of them will stay away from candidates who do that,” Durbin told NBC 5 Chicago. “Let them make the decision and let the candidates be smart enough to realize these voters are well-informed and really interested in this election campaign.”
Underwood in an NBC 5 Chicago interview said if she decides to enter the race, it will be from “a position of strength.”
“Illinois voters cannot be bought. Just because other candidates might have significant resources, it does not mean that they will win. Illinois voters are looking for leaders with integrity, a vision for the future. They’re also looking for the next generation,” Underwood said.
Stratton, who was the first candidate to enter the race, has released a video touting herself as a fighter and experienced as Illinois lieutenant governor.
Should she decide to run, Underwood’s strength in the state-wide race is her appeal to Democrat and Republican voters, which will greatly benefit her in the General Election in November.
Since 2018, Underwood has been a rising star on the national stage. That year, the registered nurse gained attention after she won the predominately Republican Illinois 14th Congressional District and helped Democrats regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2024, Underwood was elected to a fourth term.