Don
Tracy
Republican nominee for Illinois U.S. Senate seat, lawyer, and former Illinois GOP chair
- sources
- 14
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 29
Background
Don Tracy is the Republican nominee for the open U.S. Senate seat in Illinois in the November 2026 election, running against Democrat Juliana Stratton to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin. Tracy grew up in Mount Sterling, Illinois, was born in Urbana, and raised his family in Springfield. [Sources 7, 21, 3]
Tracy has never held publicly elected office. He served as chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board from 2015 to 2019 (an appointed position) and was elected chair of the Illinois Republican Party twice, serving from 2021 until resigning in 2024. His current role is Senior Counsel at Brown, Hay & Stephens, a Springfield law firm. [Sources 6, 7, 3]
Tracy's career background includes working in his family's business from age 10, serving as general outside counsel for that business for more than 40 years, and previously owning and operating a Springfield law firm. He earned a bachelor's degree in General Business Administration from Arizona State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis, after attending Western Illinois University. [Source 3]
Tracey has described his Senate run as "answering a call of duty" and has characterized himself as an underdog in the race. [Source 21]
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, Illinois
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Senior Counsel at Brown, Hay & Stephens
- Website
- dontracyforil.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11debateTracy's campaign spending far below Stratton's; one joint WTTW appearance scheduled
The Chicago Tribune reported Stratton's main campaign fund spent more than $4.7 million through June vs. less than $950,000 by Tracy's committee. Stratton raised $1.53 million across multiple funds over the summer. The candidates were scheduled for one joint appearance on WTTW in late October. Tracy had said a mid-September Fox 32 interview was supposed to be a debate with Stratton.
Illinois Senate race: Juliana Stratton, F-bomb ads behind her, leans on primary performance versus Don Tracy · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsTracy outlines priorities on inflation and immigration in ABC7 candidate segment
In an ABC7 Chicago segment on affordability and immigration, Tracy said reducing inflation should be central to economic policy and called for changes to immigration. He said he was focused on making Illinois a better state rather than political commentary.
Illinois Senate candidates outline priorities on affordability, immigration · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8newsTracy launches 'Extreme Team' TV ad linking Stratton to Democratic Socialists
Tracy's campaign aired a television ad called 'Extreme Team' attempting to link Stratton to Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who had campaigned with streamer Hasan Piker. Tracy characterized Stratton as a 'Democrat socialist' and argued Democratic policies increase the cost of living.
TV hit tries to connect Lt. Gov. Stratton to controversial ... · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8endorsementNorth Shore Weekly profiles Tracy candidacy; lists Republican endorsements
A voter profile published Oct. 8 lists Tracy endorsements from former Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger, former state rep Dan Caulkins, former mayors Roger Claar and Karen Hasara, former Illinois RNC committeeman Richard Porter, Jeanne Ives, several county and township Republican organizations, and Illinois Family Action. Tracy is certified for the November ballot.
Don Tracy seeks U.S. Senate seat in Illinois | North Shore Weekly · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 4controversyTribune revisits 2019 inspector general finding on Tracy's Gaming Board tenure
The Chicago Tribune's Oct. 4 profile revisited the 2019 inspector general's finding against Tracy, noting the later Executive Ethics Commission ruling that the IG had not proved certain allegations and lacked jurisdiction over others.
Illinois Senate race: Republican Don Tracy, a onetime Democrat, makes long-shot bid against Juliana Stratton · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 4newsTracy reported to have lent campaign $2M previously plus another $1M-plus
The Chicago Tribune reported Tracy had lent his campaign $2 million previously and, early in October, had lent it another $1 million-plus. Federal records showed he raised about $133,000 for April–June and spent more than he raised. The reporting deadline for summer fundraising was still weeks away.
Illinois Senate race: Republican Don Tracy, a onetime Democrat, makes long-shot bid against Juliana Stratton · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1pollPoll: Stratton leads Tracy 49–36% among Illinois likely voters
A Public Policy Polling survey for Chicago News Weekly, conducted Sept. 30–Oct. 1 among 569 Illinois likely voters, found Stratton at 49% and Tracy at 36%, with 15% undecided. The survey used text and landline interviews.
CNW Poll: Pritzker Leads Bailey by 20 Points, Democrats Ahead ... · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jan 1, 2019controversyIllinois inspector general found Tracy engaged in political activity as Gaming Board chair
A 2019 state inspector general's finding concluded Tracy had engaged in political activity while serving as chair of the Illinois Gaming Board, including in connection with political contributions made by his wife during his tenure. More than five years later, the state Executive Ethics Commission said the inspector general had not proved certain allegations and lacked jurisdiction over others.
Illinois Senate race: Republican Don Tracy, a onetime Democrat, makes long-shot bid against Juliana Stratton · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Karen Hasara (former Springfield Mayor) officialFormer elected official reported as an endorser. northshoreweekly.com
- Madison County Republican Organization organizationRepublican county organization reported as an endorser; no date given. northshoreweekly.com
- Richard Porter (former IL Republican National Committeeman) otherFormer Illinois Republican national committeeman reported as an endorser. northshoreweekly.com
- Leslie Munger (former IL Comptroller and Deputy Governor) officialFormer elected official reported as an endorser. northshoreweekly.com
- Wheeling Township Republican Organization organizationRepublican township organization reported as an endorser; no date given. northshoreweekly.com
- Jeanne Ives (Republican State Central Committeeman) otherRepublican state central committeeman reported as an endorser. northshoreweekly.com
- Roger Claar (former Bolingbrook Mayor) officialFormer elected official reported as an endorser. northshoreweekly.com
- Dan Caulkins (former IL State Representative) officialFormer elected official reported as an endorser. northshoreweekly.com
- Lake County Republican Organization organizationRepublican county organization reported as an endorser; no date given. northshoreweekly.com
- Hanover Township Republican Organization organizationRepublican township organization reported as an endorser; no date given. northshoreweekly.com
- Mark Kirk (former U.S. Senator) officialFormer Illinois U.S. Senator, described as anti-Trump and pro-choice, endorsed Tracy in the Illinois GOP Senate race. illinoisreview.com · Mar 2, 2026
- Chris Balkema (IL State Senator) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Wayne Rosenthal (IL State Representative) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Andrew Chesney (IL State Senator) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Kevin Schmidt (IL State Representative) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Don DeWitte (IL State Senator) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Patrick Sheehan (IL State Representative) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Steve McClure (IL State Senator) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- John Curran (IL State Senator) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Jeff Keicher (IL State Representative) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Sue Rezin (IL State Senator) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Michael Coffey Jr. (IL State Representative) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Terri Bryant (IL State Senator) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Amy Elik (IL State Representative) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Dave Syverson (IL State Senator) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Nicole La Ha (IL State Representative) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Jil Tracy (IL State Senator) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Kyle Moore (IL State Representative) officialPart of a coalition of 17 sitting Illinois state legislators announced by the Tracy campaign. dontracyforil.com · Jan 21, 2026
- Illinois Family Action (IFA-PAC) organizationEndorsed Tracy for the 2026 primary (page dated Jan. 1, updated Feb. 12, 2026) and also listed him as endorsed for the 2026 general election (page dated Oct. 3, updated Oct. 8, 2026). ifa-pac.org · Jan 1, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $2.46M
- Spent
- $947K
- Cash on hand
- $1.51M
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6IL00615(opens in a new tab)
Sources 14
- [1] Endorsements | IFA-PAC(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Illinois Senate race: Juliana Stratton, F-bomb ads behind her, leans on primary performance versus Don Tracy(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] Illinois Senate candidates outline priorities on affordability, immigration(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] Don Tracy seeks U.S. Senate seat in Illinois | North Shore Weekly(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [5] TV hit tries to connect Lt. Gov. Stratton to controversial ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [6] CNW Poll: Pritzker Leads Bailey by 20 Points, Democrats Ahead ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [7] Illinois Senate race: Republican Don Tracy, a onetime Democrat, makes long-shot bid against Juliana Stratton(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [8] 2026 Election Questionnaire: Don Tracy, United States Senate(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [9] Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy on Iran war ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 30, 2026
- [10] Don Tracy Announces Endorsements from Broad Coalition of Illinois State Legislators - Don Tracy for US Senate(opens in a new tab) Jun 4, 2026
- [11] During National School Choice Week, Don Tracy Backs Parents While His Democrat Opponents Choose Extreme Special Interests - Don Tracy for US Senate(opens in a new tab) Jun 4, 2026
- [12] Anti-Trump, Pro-Choice Mark Kirk Endorses Don Tracy in ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 2, 2026
- [13] Don Tracy: 2026 candidate for U.S. Senate - Daily Herald(opens in a new tab) Feb 28, 2026
- [14] Don Tracy, Republican candidate for U.S. senator(opens in a new tab) Feb 20, 2026