Richard J. Durbin

In the 2020 Senate race for IL Senate seat, Richard J. Durbin (D) won with 54.9% of the vote, defeating Mark C. Curran (R) who received 38.9%. 6 additional candidates split the remaining vote. Richard J. Durbin's 16.1-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Tammy Duckworth (D) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2020 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.

In the 2014 Senate race for IL Senate seat, Richard J. Durbin (D) won with 53.5% of the vote, defeating James D. Jim Oberweis (R) who received 42.7%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Richard J. Durbin's 10.9-point lead over the runner-up showed solid but not overwhelming support.

This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. As a Democrat, Richard J. Durbin won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Democrat Obama was in office).