Don Tracy

Don Tracy was born in Urbana, Illinois. He earned a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and a law degree from the University of Memphis. His career experience includes working as an attorney.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm Don Tracy, and I'm running for U.S. Senate because the American Dream is slipping away for too many working families here in our state. Sky-high costs for energy, gas, groceries, housing, and health care are crushing everyday Illinoisans, especially with the highest tax burden in the nation and an economy lagging the Midwest thanks to decades of tax-and-spend policies.

I've spent my career fighting for small businesses and families: as a senior counsel at one of Illinois' oldest law firms (with ties to Abraham Lincoln), as former Chair of the Illinois Republican Party where I unified our party through tough times, and as Chair of the Illinois Gaming Board protecting communities. I've served on boards for the Abraham Lincoln Association, Sangamon County Bar, and countless civic causes.

Unlike career politicians focused on Chicago or extreme agendas, I'll be the voice for all 102 counties: downstate, central, and yes, working families in Chicago too. My top priority: lower costs so families can thrive again.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

The sky-high cost-of-living in Illinois has made the American Dream seem out of reach for many everyday Illinoisans. Utility prices, housing costs, gas and groceries are way too high, and health care costs keep rising at an unsustainable pace.

Illinois working families need someone who will work for them in Washington. I’ve spent my career working for families and small businesses. I started working in the warehouse of our family business when I was 10 years old. I’ve run a small business and had to sacrifice to make payroll. I’ve raised a family and know how hard it can be to put food on the table. I understand the struggles families are facing. That's why, as US Senator, I'll find common sense solutions to lower the cost of living.I stepped up to run for the U.S. Senate because I saw what career politicians with extreme agendas are doing to our country.

They’re against securing the border. They support giving taxpayer-funded benefits to non-citizens. They promote boys playing in girls’ sports. They defund the police. And they favor criminals over victims.

We see the results in Chicago, where violent criminals are let back onto the streets. Working families and businesses are fleeing, and those that remain beg for a common sense approach that keeps our neighborhoods safe by holding criminals accountable and providing work and educational opportunities so our young people never turn to a life of crime.

Someone has to champion common sense. That's why I'm running.The U.S. Senate seat I am running for is open because Springfield resident Dick Durbin is retiring. When he retires, all statewide elected officials in Illinois will reside in Chicago or Cook County. That means the other 101 counties in Illinois will not have representation. I my Democrat opponents are all from Cook County.

I was born in Urbana in Eastern Illinois, raised in Mt. Sterling in Western Illinois, and I raised my own family in Springfield in Central Illinois. I have helped lead statewide civic organizations. I have represented families, farmers, and small businesses throughout my career. I am the only candidate who will give a voice to all of Illinois' 102 counties in Washington, DC.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about common sense solutions that make life more affordable. This includes lowering energy and gas costs by pursuing a reasonable energy policy, protecting our energy independence, with an eye on a clean energy future. It also includes lowering health care costs by instituting price transparency, increasing competition, and eliminating taxpayer-funded healthcare for non-citizens. And it includes lowering taxes and inflation by reducing government spending by increasing efficiency and minimizing waste and fraud, hiring based on merit, reducing interest rates, and encouraging able-bodied adults to rejoin the work force. We need to lower the cost-of-doing-business by cutting excess regulations.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I am honored to be endorsed by a broad coalition of legislators, grassroots leaders, as well as local and statewide organizations. Including: Mark Kirk, Former U.S. Senator

Leslie Munger, Former State of Illinois Comptroller and Deputy Governor

Dan Caulkins, Former Illinois State Representative

Roger Claar, Former Mayor of Bolingbrook

Karen Hasara, Former Mayor of Springfield

Richard Porter, Former Illinois RNC National Committeeman

Jeanne Ives, State Central Committeeman (IL-03)

The Wheeling Township Republican Organization

The Hanover Township Republican Organization

Illinois Federation of Young Republicans

Campaign website

Tracy's campaign website stated the following:

Lower the Cost-of-Living for Working Families

Illinois working families need someone who will work for them in Washington. I've spent my career fighting for working families and small businesses.

Champion Common Sense Solutions, Not Extreme Agendas

Someone has to champion common sense. I grew up in Western Illinois with strong values and a work ethic that shaped my approach to leadership.

Represent All of Illinois, Not Just Chicago

82% of Illinoisans live outside Chicago. I have deep ties to all of Illinois and will ensure every Illinoisan has a voice in Washington.

[2]

—Don Tracy's campaign website (2026)[3]