Raja Krishnamoorthi

Raja Krishnamoorthi
Official portrait, 2017
Raja Krishnamoorthi
Born	Subramanian Raja Krishnamoorthi 19 7, 1973
Birthplace	New Delhi, India
Nationality	American
Occupation	Attorney, politician
Known for	U.S. Representative for Illinois's 8th congressional district; first Indian American ranking member of a full committee in the U.S. Congress
Education	Princeton University (B.S.E.) Harvard Law School (J.D.)
Spouse(s)	Priya Krishnamoorthi
Children	3
Website	[Official website Official site]

Subramanian Raja Krishnamoorthi (born July 19, 1973) is an American attorney and politician who has served as the U.S. representative for Illinois's 8th congressional district since January 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Krishnamoorthi was first elected to the House in 2016, succeeding Tammy Duckworth, who vacated the seat to run successfully for the U.S. Senate. Born in New Delhi, India, and raised in Peoria, Illinois, Krishnamoorthi built a career in law and public service before entering Congress. He previously served as a special assistant attorney general in Illinois. In Congress, he has served on several committees and became the first Indian American or person of South Asian descent to serve as a ranking member or chair of any full committee in the U.S. Congress. He has also served as an assistant whip within the Democratic caucus. As of 2026, Krishnamoorthi is a candidate in the 2026 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Dick Durbin.

Early Life

Subramanian Raja Krishnamoorthi was born on July 19, 1973, in New Delhi, India. His family immigrated to the United States when he was young, and he was raised in Peoria, Illinois. Growing up in central Illinois, Krishnamoorthi's upbringing in the American Midwest shaped his perspective on middle-class economic concerns, themes that would later become central to his political career.

As an immigrant who grew up in the heartland of the United States, Krishnamoorthi's background as an Indian American in a predominantly non-Asian community in downstate Illinois informed his later advocacy on issues related to immigration and economic opportunity. His path from New Delhi to Peoria and eventually to the halls of Congress has been cited as an example of the growing political engagement of the Asian American community in American politics.

Education

Krishnamoorthi attended Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree. He subsequently attended Harvard Law School, where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree. His educational background in both engineering and law provided the foundation for his later career in public policy, law, and technology-related legislative work.

Career

Early Legal and Public Service Career

Before entering electoral politics, Krishnamoorthi built a career in law and public service in Illinois. He served as a special assistant attorney general for the state of Illinois, a role in which he worked on legal matters on behalf of the state government. This position provided Krishnamoorthi with experience in government operations and legal advocacy that would later inform his legislative work in Congress.

In addition to his work in the attorney general's office, Krishnamoorthi was involved in the private sector. He co-founded a technology company, gaining experience in business and entrepreneurship that complemented his legal and public service background.

2016 Congressional Campaign

In 2016, when Representative Tammy Duckworth announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Mark Kirk, Illinois's 8th congressional district became an open seat. Krishnamoorthi entered the Democratic primary for the district, which encompasses suburban areas northwest of Chicago, including communities in DuPage, Cook, and Kane counties.

Krishnamoorthi won the Democratic primary and faced Republican candidate Peter DiCianni in the general election. Running in a district that had trended Democratic in recent elections, Krishnamoorthi campaigned on a platform centered on middle-class economic issues, including job creation, affordable healthcare, and education. He won the November 2016 general election decisively.

U.S. House of Representatives

Krishnamoorthi was sworn in as a member of the 115th United States Congress on January 3, 2017, succeeding Tammy Duckworth as the representative for Illinois's 8th congressional district. Upon taking office, he committed to fighting for middle-class families and economic opportunity in his district and across the nation.

Krishnamoorthi was identified early in his tenure as one of the new Democratic leaders who would serve as part of the party's response to the incoming administration of President Donald Trump. In January 2017, six Illinois Democrats chose not to attend the presidential inauguration, reflecting the political tensions of the period.

Response to Executive Order 13769

One of Krishnamoorthi's earliest high-profile actions in Congress came in response to Executive Order 13769, signed by President Trump on January 27, 2017, which restricted travel from several majority-Muslim countries. The order caused significant disruption at airports across the United States, including O'Hare International Airport in the Chicago metropolitan area. Krishnamoorthi was among the lawmakers who responded to reports of travelers, including refugees, visa holders, and green card holders, being detained or turned away at O'Hare.

Krishnamoorthi described the executive order as the "worst executive order you could draw up to unify the country" in a radio interview, criticizing the policy's impact on families and its implications for immigration and national security. He was present at O'Hare as travelers were affected by the order, joining other local officials and advocates in calling for the release of detained individuals.

Congressional Committee Service

During his tenure in Congress, Krishnamoorthi has served on several committees. His congressional record is documented through his official legislative activity. He achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian American or person of South Asian descent to serve as a ranking member or chair of any full committee in the U.S. Congress. He has also served in the Democratic leadership structure as an assistant whip, a position that involves helping to organize party members in support of or opposition to legislation on the House floor.

White House Engagement

Early in his congressional tenure, Krishnamoorthi engaged with the executive branch on behalf of his constituents and the broader Chicago area. He visited the White House in connection with issues related to the city of Chicago.

Continued Reelections

Krishnamoorthi has been reelected multiple times since his initial victory in 2016, maintaining his seat in Illinois's 8th congressional district through subsequent election cycles. He has continued to focus on issues including economic policy, healthcare, education, and oversight of government operations throughout his tenure.

2026 U.S. Senate Campaign

In 2026, Krishnamoorthi entered the Democratic primary race for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois. The primary race emerged as a competitive contest among several Democratic candidates, with Krishnamoorthi and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton among the leading contenders.

The campaign intensified in February 2026, with both Krishnamoorthi and Stratton engaging in an escalating exchange of negative television advertisements. Krishnamoorthi launched his first negative television ad targeting Stratton, while a super PAC supporting Stratton also aired negative advertisements. The rivalry between the two candidates was characterized by observers as a feud that had been "simmering for weeks" before erupting into open ad wars.

The three leading Democratic candidates, including Krishnamoorthi, Stratton, and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly, participated in a debate in February 2026. Topics discussed included PAC funding and ICE enforcement policies.

During the campaign, Krishnamoorthi's stance on Israel and Middle East policy drew attention. He was described as "emerging as the strongest ally of Jewish voters" in the Illinois Senate race, with observers noting that Lieutenant Governor Stratton appeared to be running to his left on Israel-related policy.

In the lead-up to the March 2026 primary, Krishnamoorthi continued to use his platform as a sitting congressman to highlight constituent issues. In late February 2026, he announced that his guest at the State of the Union address would be a University of Illinois Chicago student whose father had been detained at the Broadview ICE facility, drawing attention to the impact of immigration enforcement on families in his district.

Personal Life

Krishnamoorthi is married to Priya Krishnamoorthi. The couple has three children. The family resides in the suburban Chicago area within Illinois's 8th congressional district. Krishnamoorthi has spoken publicly about his experience as an immigrant who came to the United States as a child and the influence that experience has had on his policy positions, particularly on issues related to immigration and economic opportunity.

As a member of the Indian American community, Krishnamoorthi's political career has been noted in coverage of the growing representation of South Asian Americans in U.S. politics. His presence in Congress has been documented by media outlets serving the Indian American diaspora community.

Recognition

Krishnamoorthi's election to Congress in 2016 was noted as part of a broader wave of increased diversity in American elected representation. He was featured in Roll Call's coverage of the new faces of the 115th Congress. The Guardian identified him as one of the new Democratic leaders in Washington positioned to play a role during the Trump administration.

His achievement as the first Indian American or person of South Asian descent to serve as a ranking member or chair of a full committee in the U.S. Congress represents a milestone in the representation of Asian Americans in the legislative branch of the United States government. This distinction reflects the increasing political engagement and influence of South Asian American communities in national politics.

In the context of his 2026 Senate campaign, Krishnamoorthi received coverage from national and regional media outlets including CBS News, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily Herald, Jewish Insider, and Punchbowl News, reflecting his status as a prominent figure in Illinois Democratic politics.