Four Black women are running for US Senate in Illinois. You may not have heard from these two candidates.
Upper left: US Senate candidate Pamela Denise Long (R), Upper right: US Senate candidate Awisi Bustos (D). Illinois Public Media
Early voting is underway for the March 17, 2026 Primary Election. There are 16... yes count ‘em... 16 candidates running for US Senate in Illinois!
This is an open seat because Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), who has held the seat since 1997 is retiring. Among the Democratic frontrunners are US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL8), and two Black women... US Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL13) and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton (D-IL).
Republican Pamela Denise Long and Democratic candidate Awisi Quartey Bustos are two of the lesser-known people in this US Senate race. Today we hear from them in excerpts from recent The 21st Show episodes.
