Candidates › Illinois U.S. Senate race › 2025–2026

Don Tracy

R Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, Illinois

Has not served in Congress

On the ballot: On the general election ballotNov 3, 2026 · Illinois US Senate
The race: Everyone running for Illinois U.S. Senate · Compare Tracy with them
Where to vote: Find your polling place (opens in a new tab) · More ways to vote

SummaryAt a glance

Top priorities: Lowering the Cost of Living for Working Families
Championing Common Sense Solutions for Illinois
Represent All of Illinois, Not Just Chicago
Defending Illinois. Fighting for the American Dream.
Read them in their words
Money: $4.9M raised, $4.4M spent, $483K cash on hand (through Oct 14, 2026). Where it comes from
Who gives: 12% of individual money from donors at $200 or less · 74% from Illinois · largest committee giver INTERNATIONAL FOODSERVICE DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, $5K
Polling: 41.5% in the latest poll (ActiVote). The polls

Their wordsWhat does Tracy say they will do?

4 priorities from dontracyforil.com, in the order they are listed there. Every heading and the text under it is copied exactly, as one passage for each page it is from, and links to that place on the page; hover a source to see which passage it opens.

4 priorities · 37 parts · 67 quoted statements

Illinois working families deserve someone who will work for them in Washington. I will fight to lower the cost-of-living so everyone in our great state can achieve their own version of the American Dream.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · dontracyforil.com
For too many Illinois families, the cost of living has made the American Dream feel out of reach. Higher taxes, rising utility bills, expensive groceries, unaffordable housing, and growing health care costs are squeezing household budgets and forcing people to make impossible choices.
Don Tracy is running to fight for common sense solutions that make life more affordable, strengthen the economy, and help working families get ahead again.
WHAT DON TRACY IS FIGHTING FOR.
- Lower the Cost of Living for Working Families – Put affordability at the center of public policy so families can keep up, get ahead, and plan for the future.
- Lower Taxes and Reduce Inflation – Cut wasteful spending, improve efficiency, and help families keep more of what they earn.
- Lower Energy and Utility Costs – Support a reasonable energy policy that uses available energy sources, protects reliability, and reduces household costs.
- Make Housing More Affordable – Support policies that expand opportunity and remove barriers that make it harder to build affordable homes.
- Lower Health Care and Drug Costs – Promote price transparency, more competition, and reforms that help reduce insurance and prescription costs.
- Support Small Businesses and Job Creators – Cut excessive regulations and lower the cost of doing business so employers can grow and hire.
- Stand Up for Manufacturers and Farmers – Fight for a fair playing field for the industries that power communities across Illinois.
- Restore the American Dream – Build an economy where hard work leads to opportunity, stability, and a better future.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · dontracyforil.com/lower-the-cost-of-living
Heading as listed on dontracyforil.com/lower-the-cost-of-living ↗ (opens dontracyforil.com/lower-the-cost-of-living at this heading)
America needs common sense leadership that puts families first, strengthens our communities, and expands opportunity for the next generation.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · dontracyforil.com
Don Tracy is running because too many career politicians are pushing extreme agendas while Illinois families pay the price. From rising costs and unsafe communities to government overreach and political games, Don believes it’s time for leadership grounded in common sense, accountability, and the values that built this country.
He’s fighting to protect our freedoms, support law enforcement, grow the economy, and make sure the American Dream stays within reach for every Illinoisan.
WHAT DON TRACY IS FIGHTING FOR.
- Champion Common Sense Over Extreme Agendas – Stand up to politicians who put ideology ahead of the needs of Illinois families.
- Protect Constitutional Freedoms – Defend the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and keep government in its proper place.
- Support Law Enforcement and Safe Communities – Back the men and women who keep us safe and hold violent criminals accountable.
- Secure the Border and Uphold the Rule of Law – Support policies that protect our country, strengthen security, and restore order.
- Lower Taxes and Expand Opportunity – Help families keep more of what they earn and create an economy where businesses and workers can thrive.
- Defend Parents and Protect Children – Support parents’ rights and policies that put children’s well-being first.
- Promote Work, Responsibility, and Upward Mobility – Create opportunities for people to build strong futures through hard work and personal responsibility.
- Restore Accountability in Government – Stop the waste, end the political games, and demand results for the people of Illinois.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · dontracyforil.com/common-sense-solutions
Heading as listed on dontracyforil.com/common-sense-solutions ↗ (opens dontracyforil.com/common-sense-solutions at this heading)
Too many of our politicians seem to forget Illinois has 102 counties, and the working families in every county deserve to have their voices heard. I will be proud to bring their voices to the halls of Congress.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · dontracyforil.com
Representing Every Community. Fighting for Every Family.
With Dick Durbin retiring, Illinois is at a turning point. If voters don’t choose new leadership that understands the entire state, every statewide elected official could be based in Chicago or Cook County. Don Tracy is running to make sure the voices of the other 101 counties are heard.
Don believes every community deserves representation — from Chicago to the suburbs, from small towns to rural counties, from industrial cities to farming communities. Illinois needs a senator who will stand up for the whole state, not just the politically connected.
WHAT DON TRACY IS FIGHTING FOR.
- Represent All of Illinois – Make sure families and communities in every county have a voice in Washington, not just those in Chicago.
- Stand Up for the 101 Counties Outside Cook – Fight for the communities too often overlooked by politicians focused on one part of the state.
- Bring Real Statewide Perspective – Represent Illinois with firsthand understanding of Eastern, Western, Central, suburban, and rural communities.
- Support Working Families Everywhere – Champion policies that address affordability, safety, and opportunity across every region.
- Fight for Farmers, Workers, and Small Businesses – Advocate for the people who power Illinois’ economy and keep communities strong.
- Recognize Regional Differences – Understand that the needs of Rockford are not the same as Cairo, and the priorities of Quincy are not the same as Joliet.
- Deliver a Voice for Everyday Illinoisans – Focus on the concerns of people who work hard, raise families, and deserve to be heard.
- Bring Accountability to Washington – Represent the people of Illinois, not party insiders or political machines.
Illinois Is Bigger Than One City ↗ (opens dontracyforil.com/represent at this heading)
Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the world and an essential driver of our state’s economy. But Illinois is far more than one city or one county. The people of Southern Illinois, Western Illinois, Central Illinois, the collar counties, and communities across the state deserve just as much attention and advocacy.
Too many politicians forget that Illinois has 102 counties and that most Illinoisans live outside Chicago. Don Tracy is running to make sure every part of the state has a voice in the U.S. Senate.
A Senator Who Knows the Whole State ↗ (opens dontracyforil.com/represent at this heading)
Don has deep ties to all of Illinois. He was born in Urbana in Eastern Illinois, raised in Mt. Sterling in Western Illinois, and raised his family in Springfield in Central Illinois. He has led statewide organizations and represented families, farmers, and small businesses across Illinois.
That experience has shown him how diverse this state really is. While many Illinois families face the same broad concerns — like rising costs, safer communities, and better opportunities — those challenges do not look the same in every region.
Don understands that suburban communities have different needs than rural towns. Industrial areas facing lost manufacturing jobs have different concerns than farming communities dependent on agriculture. Effective leadership means understanding those differences and representing them all.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · dontracyforil.com/represent
Heading as listed on dontracyforil.com/represent ↗ (opens dontracyforil.com/represent at this heading)
Don Tracy is running for the U.S. Senate because everyday Illinoisans deserve a strong leader who will defend their freedoms, lower the cost of living, and champion common sense solutions over extreme agendas.
For too many families, the American Dream feels harder to reach. Costs keep rising, communities feel less safe, government keeps getting bigger, and too many politicians seem more focused on ideology than the people they serve. Don is running to change that.
WHAT DON TRACY IS FIGHTING FOR.
- Defending the American Dream – Fight to make sure hard work, family, and opportunity still lead to a better future in Illinois.
- Lowering the Cost of Living – Focus on reducing taxes, energy costs, inflation, and health care costs for working families.
- Championing Common Sense Solutions – Stand up to extreme agendas and support practical policies that reflect the values of everyday Illinoisans.
- Safer Communities – Support law enforcement, hold violent criminals accountable, and put public safety first.
- Secure Borders and the Rule of Law – Enforce immigration laws and oppose taxpayer-funded benefits for those here illegally.
- Supporting Small Businesses, Manufacturers, and Farmers – Reduce burdensome regulations and strengthen the industries that keep Illinois working.
- Representing All of Illinois – Make sure every region of the state has a voice in Washington, not just Chicago and Cook County.
- Restoring Accountability in Government – Demand responsible spending, transparency, and leadership focused on results instead of political games.
Don stepped up to run because he saw what career politicians with extreme agendas are doing to the country — and how everyday Illinois families are paying the price.
From open borders to taxpayer-funded benefits for non-citizens, from attacks on law enforcement to policies that make life more expensive, too many leaders have lost touch with the priorities of working families. In Illinois, families are dealing with higher utility bills, rising housing costs, expensive groceries and gas, and health care costs that continue to climb.
Don believes Illinois needs a senator who will champion common sense, defend our freedoms, and fight for the people who work hard, raise families, run businesses, and keep our communities strong.
What I'm Fighting For ↗ (opens dontracyforil.com/defend at this heading)
Common Sense. Strong Leadership. Real Opportunity.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · dontracyforil.com/defend
Heading as listed on dontracyforil.com/defend ↗ (opens dontracyforil.com/defend at this heading)

MoneyWho pays for the campaign, and where does it go?

Raised

$4.9M

$4,914,363

Spent

$4.4M

$4,431,346

Cash on hand

$483K

$483,017

FEC filings, Jul 1, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 · Official FEC bulk data · committee C00917120

Raised, spent and cash over time by FEC report

90¢ of every dollar raised has been spent across 7 reports ($4.4M of $4.9M). Cash on hand went from $2.1M on Sep 30, 2025 to $483K on Oct 14, 2026.

Raised, spent and cash on hand by FEC report
Report	Raised in the period	Spent in the period	Cash on hand at its close
OCTOBER QUARTERLY 2025 through Sep 30, 2025	$2,062,222	$9,970	$2,052,252
YEAR-END 2025 through Dec 31, 2025	$83,709	$108,153	$2,027,808
PRE-PRIMARY 2026 through Feb 25, 2026	$111,054	$343,976	$1,794,886
APRIL QUARTERLY 2026 through Mar 31, 2026	$70,349	$321,837	$1,543,398
JULY QUARTERLY 2026 through Jun 30, 2026	$132,556	$163,530	$1,512,424
OCTOBER QUARTERLY 2026 through Sep 30, 2026	$1,686,075	$2,053,093	$1,145,406
PRE-GENERAL 2026 through Oct 14, 2026	$768,399	$1,430,788	$483,017

Each report’s own period, as filed with the FEC; a report filed again counts once, as its latest copy.

Where the money came from $4,914,363 reported receipts

LoansMoney the campaign borrowed this cycle, from the candidate or a lender, which it may repay.$4,250,00086%

Who lent it

Don Tracythe candidate’s own money · 3 loans · $4.3M not yet repaid$4,250,000

Each loan as the campaign’s report through Oct 14, 2026 lists it, with what is still owed. A loan from an earlier cycle can appear here, and one repaid in full drops off the report, so the list need not add up to the row.

Itemized (over $200)Donors who have given more than $200 this cycle, so the FEC itemizes (names) them.$519,70411%

Largest donors

Jean Buckley2 contributions, latest Jun 25, 2026 · RETIRED · QUINCY, IL$7,143
Lawrence Lawson2 contributions, latest Jun 30, 2026 · ENTREPRENEUR · LINCOLN INTERNATIONAL · CHICAGO, IL$7,143
Elizabeth Bishop

Top donor states
Name		Amount
Illinois home273 contributions · 74%		$272,445
Florida30 contributions · 14%		$51,449
Missouri9 contributions · 6.8%		$25,000
Nebraska2 contributions · 1.9%		$7,000
Massachusetts1 contribution · 1%		$3,500
Michigan1 contribution · 1%		$3,500
Montana1 contribution · 0.7%		$2,500
Colorado1 contribution · 0.3%		$1,000

Top donor states

Name

Amount

Illinois home273 contributions · 74%

$272,445

Florida30 contributions · 14%

$51,449

Missouri9 contributions · 6.8%

$25,000

Nebraska2 contributions · 1.9%

$7,000

Massachusetts1 contribution · 1%

$3,500

Michigan1 contribution · 1%

$3,500

Montana1 contribution · 0.7%

$2,500

Colorado1 contribution · 0.3%

$1,000

Donors’ employers
Employer as filed		Amount
RetiredWritten instead of an employer · 129 contributions · 41% of ranked		$150,723
State Of IL9 contributions · 3.4% of ranked		$12,510
Self-employedWritten instead of an employer · 18 contributions · 3% of ranked		$11,118
Troxell Financial5 contributions · 2.1% of ranked		$7,619
Lincoln International2 contributions · 1.9% of ranked		$7,143
DOT Family Holdings2 contributions · 1.9% of ranked		$7,000
Lapham-hickey Steel Corp2 contributions · 1.9% of ranked		$7,000
OWL Creek Partners2 contributions · 1.9% of ranked		$7,000

Donors’ employers

Employer as filed

Amount

RetiredWritten instead of an employer · 129 contributions · 41% of ranked

$150,723

State Of IL9 contributions · 3.4% of ranked

$12,510

Self-employedWritten instead of an employer · 18 contributions · 3% of ranked

$11,118

Troxell Financial5 contributions · 2.1% of ranked

$7,619

Lincoln International2 contributions · 1.9% of ranked

$7,143

DOT Family Holdings2 contributions · 1.9% of ranked

$7,000

Lapham-hickey Steel Corp2 contributions · 1.9% of ranked

$7,000

OWL Creek Partners2 contributions · 1.9% of ranked

$7,000

Name		Amount
Strategic Media Placement Inc.4 payments · 28% of all spending		$1,231,464
COR Services53 payments · 11% of all spending		$480,336
COR Strategies, Inc.31 payments · 3.2% of all spending		$141,394
Murphy, Kathleen12 payments · 1.5% of all spending		$66,253
Peterson, Katie11 payments · 0.9% of all spending		$38,168
Stensland, Riley16 payments · 0.7% of all spending		$32,382
Wilson, Brady28 payments · 0.7% of all spending		$31,146
Reis, Jim14 payments · 0.7% of all spending		$30,222

Occupation as filed		Amount
RetiredWritten instead of an occupation · 129 contributions · 41% of ranked		$150,723
Owner21 contributions · 6.7% of ranked		$24,794
President18 contributions · 5.3% of ranked		$19,522
Chairman5 contributions · 4.1% of ranked		$15,000
CEO12 contributions · 3% of ranked		$10,881
Lawyer5 contributions · 2.5% of ranked		$9,260
Executive4 contributions · 2.3% of ranked		$8,312
Senator4 contributions · 2.2% of ranked		$8,250

Don Tracy

SummaryAt a glance

Their wordsWhat does Tracy say they will do?

1Priority 1: Lowering the Cost of Living for Working Families 10 parts

1.1Priority 1.1: Life Is Too Expensive in Illinois 2 statements

1.2Priority 1.2: Lower Taxes and Inflation 1 statement

1.3Priority 1.3: Affordable, Reliable Energy 1 statement

1.4Priority 1.4: Lower Health Care Costs 1 statement

1.5Priority 1.5: More Affordable Housing 1 statement

1.6Priority 1.6: Stronger Small Businesses 1 statement

1.7Priority 1.7: Support for Manufacturers and Farmers 1 statement

1.8Priority 1.8: Keep More of What You Earn 1 statement

1.9Priority 1.9: Lower Everyday Costs 1 statement

1.10Priority 1.10: Restore Opportunity 1 statement

2Priority 2: Championing Common Sense Solutions for Illinois 10 parts

2.1Priority 2.1: Safe Communities 1 statement

2.2Priority 2.2: Economic Opportunity 1 statement

2.3Priority 2.3: Constitutional Freedom 1 statement

2.4Priority 2.4: Strong Families 1 statement

2.5Priority 2.5: Accountable Government 1 statement

2.6Priority 2.6: The American Dream 1 statement

2.7Priority 2.7: Standing Up for What Matters Most 1 statement

2.8Priority 2.8: Protect Your Rights 1 statement

2.9Priority 2.9: Expand Opportunity 1 statement

2.10Priority 2.10: Deliver Real Results 1 statement

3Priority 3: Represent All of Illinois, Not Just Chicago 9 parts

Illinois Is Bigger Than One City ↗ (opens dontracyforil.com/represent at this heading)

A Senator Who Knows the Whole State ↗ (opens dontracyforil.com/represent at this heading)

3.1Priority 3.1: Represent Every Region 1 statement

3.2Priority 3.2: Listen to Everyday Illinoisans 1 statement

3.3Priority 3.3: Support Local Economies 1 statement

3.4Priority 3.4: Recognize Different Challenges 1 statement

3.5Priority 3.5: Lead with Statewide Experience 1 statement

3.6Priority 3.6: Deliver Real Representation 1 statement

3.7Priority 3.7: Every County Matters 1 statement

3.8Priority 3.8: Real Perspective Matters 1 statement

3.9Priority 3.9: Working Families Deserve to Be Heard 1 statement

4Priority 4: Defending Illinois. Fighting for the American Dream. 8 parts

What I'm Fighting For ↗ (opens dontracyforil.com/defend at this heading)

4.1Priority 4.1: Lower the Cost of Living 1 statement

4.2Priority 4.2: Champion Common Sense Solutions 1 statement

4.3Priority 4.3: Safe Communities 1 statement

4.4Priority 4.4: Secure Borders 1 statement

4.5Priority 4.5: A Stronger Economy 1 statement

4.6Priority 4.6: Representation for the Whole State 1 statement

4.7Priority 4.7: Common Sense Solutions 1 statement

4.8Priority 4.8: Real Representation 1 statement

MoneyWho pays for the campaign, and where does it go?

Raised, spent and cash over time by FEC report

Where the money came from $4,914,363 reported receipts

Who lent it

Largest donors

EndorsementsWho does Tracy’s campaign say backs them?

BallotWhen is Tracy on the ballot?

PollsWhat do public polls of the IL Senate race show?

AboutWhere does this page come from?

Earlier cycles

Federal records

Campaign pages read 5 pages

Committees that gave

Where the donors live $366,894 placed by state

Home state and away

Top states

Donors’ employers as filed

Outside spending $24,631,079 across this race

What the payments were for $2,271,919 itemized

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