Whitfield
Harrington Jr
Independent pastor and insurance professional running for Illinois U.S. Senate, building the American Center Party
- sources
- 9
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Whitfield Harrington Jr. is an independent candidate running for the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois in the November 3, 2026 general election, a seat being vacated by Senator Dick Durbin who announced he would not seek reelection. 1720 Harrington describes himself as an independent who is helping build the American Center Party, with his campaign website calling him an "Independent Candidate · Building the American Center Party." 169
Harrington was born and raised in Belzoni, Mississippi, and earned a degree in political science from Delta State University. In 1997 he was elected Governor of Mississippi Boys State through the American Legion's youth civic program and was selected as one of Mississippi's representatives to Boys Nation. 316
Before entering the current campaign, Harrington worked in banking and insurance, eventually running his own insurance practice. He moved to Chicago in 2013 and became a pastor, a role he continues to hold. 167 He has not previously held elected public office. 3
Harrington's campaign platform is centered on a middle-ground approach, positioning the American Center Party as an alternative to the two major parties on issues including affordability and immigration. 810
At a glance
- Party
- American Center Party
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, Illinois
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Pastor in Chicago
- Website
- whit4ilsenate.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 20debateUpcoming WTTW Senate forum excludes Harrington; only Stratton and Tracy invited
Axios reported that Stratton and Tracy were scheduled for a live WTTW forum on October 20, with Harrington not scheduled to participate. The forum was still upcoming as of October 11.
Illinois U.S. Senate election: Stratton vs. Tracy voter guide - Axios · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 11newsHarrington confirmed as one of three candidates on the November 3 Illinois Senate ballot
ABC7 reported that Harrington was one of three candidates on the November 3 ballot for the Illinois U.S. Senate race, alongside Democrat Juliana Stratton and Republican Don Tracy. His ABC7 Our Chicago interview was also scheduled to air this date.
Our Chicago: Race for U.S. Senate · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsHarrington gives ABC7 interview calling for oil speculation ban, criticizing immigration enforcement
In a taped Our Chicago interview with ABC7, Harrington called for a ban on speculation in oil markets to address rising prices. On immigration, he said enforcement had 'crossed the line.' He also argued both major parties had 'gone to the extreme,' citing voter frustration.
Illinois Senate candidates outline priorities on affordability, immigration · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8newsHarrington publishes candidate questionnaire detailing 'Family Affordability Act'
In a local-news questionnaire, Harrington said his first bill would be a 'Family Affordability Act,' including small-dollar mortgages for homes under $100,000, ending energy-market speculation, eliminating tariffs on food, and making the first year of community college free, paid for by reprioritizing existing federal spending.
Harrington runs for U.S. Senate under American Center Party · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3newsHarrington outlines middle-ground platform in local press coverage
The Intelligencer reported on Harrington's Senate candidacy, describing his centrist platform under the American Center Party banner.
Illinois Senate candidate outlines middle-ground platform · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24newsHarrington confirmed on certified general-election candidate list
A candidate-record page noted that Harrington appeared on the certified general-election candidate list as of September 24, 2026.
Whitfield Harrington Jr (I) — U.S. Senator, Illinois | 2026 profile · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 15endorsementCIVPAC endorses Stratton, passes on Harrington due to limited public record
The centrist-independent group CIVPAC endorsed Democrat Juliana Stratton for Illinois U.S. Senate. The group said it had reviewed Harrington but found his public record too limited on several issues to assess him with confidence.
Illinois U.S. Senate 2026: CIVPAC Endorses Juliana Stratton · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 1filingFEC quarterly report shows ~$100K in receipts, $3.7K cash on hand through June 30
Through June 30, Harrington's campaign had reported approximately $100,702 in receipts, $96,951 in spending, and $3,751 cash on hand, including about $64,050 in candidate loans, per the FEC's July 2026 quarterly report.
Whitfield Harrington Jr (I) — U.S. Senator, Illinois | 2026 profile · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 26filingHarrington files for U.S. Senate under American Center Party
The Illinois State Board of Elections recorded Harrington's filing date as May 26 for the U.S. Senate race under the American Center Party, with status listed as 'Active 5/26/2026.'
Whitfield Harrington Jr (I) — U.S. Senator, Illinois | 2026 profile · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $101K
- Spent
- $97K
- Cash on hand
- $3,751
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6IL00680(opens in a new tab)
Sources 9
- [1] Our Chicago: Race for U.S. Senate(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Illinois Senate candidates outline priorities on affordability, immigration(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Harrington runs for U.S. Senate under American Center Party(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [4] Harrington seeks Illinois U.S. Senate seat as independent(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [5] Illinois U.S. Senate election: Stratton vs. Tracy voter guide - Axios(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [6] Whitfield Harrington for U.S. Senate | Renovate the American Dream(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [7] Illinois Senate candidate outlines middle-ground platform(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [8] Whitfield Harrington Jr (I) — U.S. Senator, Illinois | 2026 profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [9] Illinois U.S. Senate 2026: CIVPAC Endorses Juliana Stratton(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026