Summary
Incumbent Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, the Senate Minority Whip, is running for reelection to a fifth term.
Republican Mark Curran won the GOP Senate primary on March 17, 2020. Curran defeated four other Republicans in the primary race and will now face an uphill challenge to unseat the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate.
Curran, the former Lake County sheriff, has adopted both Democratic and Republican policy positions, supporting extensions for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and creating a pathway to citizenship for “Dreamers” while also opposing abortion access and backing President Trump’s border wall. The Hill.
“What I need to do is sell people on the possibility, and I absolutely believe in the possibility that we can take out Dick Durbin,” Curran told the Chicago Sun Times. “And if we can do that, it’ll be the biggest upset in America.”
OnAir Post: Illinois – US Senate 2020 Election
News
His performance in the Supreme Court confirmation hearings will sway all sorts of races in November, but least of all his own.
Durbin can afford to play a front-and-center role in the Supreme Court battle because he doesn’t have to campaign for re-election. Durbin is on the ballot for a fifth term this November, but he isn’t barnstorming the state, attending union barbecues and holding rallies in small-town high school gymnasiums. He’s a shoo-in. Most voters aren’t even aware that Durbin has a Republican opponent. (That would be former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran.)
Durbin’s nemesis, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, had raised $36 million and spent $20 million on his re-election campaign in Kentucky, as of June 30. Durbin had raised $8.4 million and spent $3.6 million in Illinois. (On what, I’m not sure. I still haven’t encountered a Dick Durbin TV, radio, or Internet ad. I did see his name on the bottom of a Joe Biden yard sign, but those are pretty scarce.)
5 Chicago – July 19, 2020
Curran criticized Lewis’ support of abortion rights during a speech Sunday in Chicago
Sen. Dick Durbin is blasting Republican Mark Curran for comments the candidate made about U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who passed away Friday at the age of 80.
Curran, the former Lake County sheriff who is running against Durbin for a seat in the United States Senate, criticized Lewis’ support of abortion rights during his life, saying that the Congressman wasn’t “much of a civil rights leader.”
Durbin blasted Curran’s remarks, calling them a “disgusting” attack on Lewis’ legacy.
IllinoisChannelTV – January 29, 2020 (37:55)
Dick Durbin
Current Position: US Senator since 1997
Affiliation: Democrat
Candidate: 2020 US Senator
Durbin serves as the Democratic Whip, the second highest ranking position among the Senate Democrats. Senator 
Durbin has been elected to this leadership post by his Democratic colleagues every two years since 2005.
Durbin sits on the Senate Judiciary, Appropriations, Agriculture, and Rules Committees. He is the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration and the Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee.
For more information, see this Dick Durbin post.
Mark Curran
Current Position: US Senator
Affiliation: Republican
Candidate: 2020 US Senator
Former Position(s): Lake County Sheriff
Mark Curran began his law enforcement career serving as an intern in the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office in 1988 and became an Assistant Lake County State’s Attorney’s in 1990. While serving as a Senior Felony Prosecutor, Curran was recruited by Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan. Curran was promoted to Chief of the Gang Crimes Bureau, charged with prosecuting street gangs, holding seminars on fighting gangs and serving as editor of a statewide law enforcement-focused newsletter. In addition, Curran represented the Director of the Illinois State Police in employment hearings and the Illinois Department of Corrections in civil lawsuits.
For more information, see this Mark Curran post.
Issues
Civil Rights
MARK CURRAN
I support our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. I exercise my second amendment right. The second Amendment right must be protected as it protects all of our other rights.
DICK DURBIN
As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I have been actively working to make our communities safer and promote justice both in Illinois and across the nation. Addressing these issues takes a comprehensive approach. We need to provide better options for young people who are at risk of becoming involved in gangs or other criminal activities. We need to ensure that our criminal justice laws are not just firm, but fair. And we need to protect the civil and human rights of all Americans.
Economy
MARK CURRAN
Taxes
I oppose tax increases. The middle class certainly does not need more taxes. Government takes enough of our hard-earned money. Each of our middle class families live within their means, and we must demand the same of our government. I do not support the wasteful and non-transparent omnibus spending bills filled with waste, fraud and abuse of our tax money, and which mainly supports lobbyists and special interests.
Pro-Capitalism & Free Markets
I am pro-capitalist free markets. I prefer to keep the government out of our hair and out of our pockets as much as we can. We need to continue to nurture small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunities, and protect that backbone of our economy. I also support putting America First and making sure we are enacting policies to protect American jobs and keep growing the domestic job market in all sectors of the economy.
DICK DURBIN
To promote long-term economic growth and create jobs for the 21st century, America must invest now in our physical, human, and intellectual capital. We must out-build, out-educate, and out-innovate our international competitors so that our companies can produce the best products and hire the best people. This is why Senator Durbin supports investments in national labs and world-class universities in Illinois, Illinois’ infrastructure, youth workforce development, and retraining Illinois’ workers for jobs of the future.
Education
MARK CURRAN
I support TEACHERS, public school and private / parochial. But why don’t we have school choice? All the elites have school choice. Let’s create opportunities for our kids and their future not deter them. I support the expansion and advocacy for occupational training and trade schools.
DICK DURBIN
Education is the key to future individual success and a strong economy. We must work to expand educational opportunities for all students in Illinois and throughout the nation. The future of our country depends on the education we provide to our children today.
Access to a quality education—from pre-Kindergarten through higher education—should not be a luxury only for the wealthy. The cost of higher education has increased dramatically in recent decades, and student debt has tripled over the last decade. This debt often destroys personal financial security and threatens national economic growth as young people put off buying cars and homes, starting families and businesses, and saving for retirement.
I am working to ensure that all students, regardless of their economic status, receive a quality college education that will help them get ahead without saddling them with a mountain of debt. I have fought for legislation to maintain affordable federal student loan rates; increase access to free and open textbooks; investigate the deceptive practices of many for-profit colleges; and encourage our best and brightest students to choose a profession in public service. I will continue to focus on making a quality education accessible and affordable to all.
Environment
MARK CURRAN
N/A
DICK DURBIN
ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Illinois has an abundance of resources including coal, agriculture, prairie, lakes, and rivers. These resources keep our economy moving. They give water to sustain us, provide recreation, and tell the story of our history. While abundant, these resources are not unlimited. Fortunately, Illinois is also home to cutting-edge technology to efficiently use and preserve these resources. From clean coal technology to biofuels to our national laboratories at Argonne and Fermi, our world-class research is paving a path for sustainability for the entire nation. Clean, renewable energy supports jobs for Illinoisans in a growing industry.
We depend on clean water and a vibrant ecosystem for our health, recreation, and economy. The Great Lakes are the largest fresh water supply in the nation, containing about 20 percent of all the fresh water in the world. The Lakes serve as the source of drinking water for nearly 40 million people throughout the region and support a wide range of recreational and commercial pursuits. I am committed to preserving wilderness areas in Illinois and across the country for future generations to enjoy.
Foreign Policy
MARK CURRAN
N/A
DICK DURBIN
Our nation’s foreign policies should advance security and prosperity while promoting American values of freedom, democracy, tolerance, compassion, trade, and the rule of law. The United States has many important diplomatic and security interests around the world and Senator Durbin believes the United States must remain a leader and active participant on the international stage with our allies, NATO partners, and others.
The United States has strong economic interests and relationships around the world, with many Illinois jobs directly linked to exports. Senator Durbin has led efforts to encourage economic growth and opportunities for American exports in emerging markets around the world.
Additionally, U.S. foreign policy extends beyond diplomatic and military initiatives to include humanitarian and development assistance aimed at saving lives and building more stable nations. Senator Durbin has championed U.S. assistance that helps provide clean water and access to sanitation to the world’s most poor as well as to reduce rates of HIV/AIDS and malaria—both as an expression of American values and to strengthen America’s standing abroad. Senator Durbin has also been an active advocate for humanitarian assistance in areas of conflict and for refugees fleeing violence or repression. He has supported programs and funding to help children in need and to increase access to education, as well as to protect young girls forced to marry at a young age or young boys forced to become child soldiers. Senator Durbin has also been a champion of global human rights standards, and as such, regularly advocates for the release of political prisoners around the world.
At times, international crises demand additional U.S. attention, including the potential use of our military. In those situations in which U.S. military action may be warranted, Senator Durbin has exercised the utmost deliberation for this most critical decision that requires Congressional authorization.
Health Care
MARK CURRAN
I believe patients and doctors, certainly not government bureaucrats, should be in charge of health care decisions. I’m for expanding choice and competition in our health care system. I strongly oppose socialized medicine.
DICK DURBIN
The security of health care should not be a privilege for a fortunate few, but a right for every American. The health and wellness of the American people reflects the health of our nation, both physically and financially.
The cost of healthcare has gone up more quickly than inflation, making it difficult for families and businesses to keep up. The Affordable Care Act is curbing the growth of health care costs, giving patients more control over their care, and providing coverage to millions of Americans who otherwise would not have access to health care. I am committed to continue improving the health of our country now.
If we are serious about improving the economy, we must control health care costs and promote a healthy, productive populace. The best way to do that is to reverse the staggering growth of chronic diseases and invest in public health prevention that keep people healthy in the first place. In the 20th century, we made tremendous strides improving infant and maternal mortality rates, reducing smoking, ensuring the safety and health of our food supply chain, and immunizing more infants. I have helped lead many of these improvements and will continue to support public health and health care, which not only save millions of lives but secures our nation’s health and stability.
Immigration
MARK CURRAN
We lawfully admit over a million immigrants each year, which far exceeds other countries. We have been a welcoming nation. But, we must acknowledge our immigration system is in crisis. We need to secure our borders and we nee rule of law. I oppose sanctuary cities. I support merit based immigration reform that is comprehensive, including building the wall, technology, border security through Homeland Security and ICE. With the mounting level of unmarked graves at the southern border it is clear that we need to deter people from making the dangerous journey to cross our borders illegally. We must work with southern border countries to ensure that folks can apply legally to come to our country from their country of origin.
DICK DURBIN
As the proud son of an immigrant, Senator Durbin believes that immigration makes America great. Senator Durbin serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration.
Infrastructure
MARK CURRAN
N/A
DICK DURBIN
A strong national economy depends on a dependable transportation infrastructure, and Illinois operates as the nation’s transportation hub. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport consistently ranks as one of the world’s busiest airports. Illinois’ rivers and Lake Michigan are the backbone of our inland waterway network. All of the nation’s freight rail lines converge in Illinois. The state’s highway system serves as the crossroads of America. And Illinois is home to the second largest mass transit system in the country. To maintain the state’s status as the nation’s transportation epicenter, Senator Durbin is working to bring vital federal funding home to Illinois and to make sure federal transportation policy provides Illinois with the support it needs to maintain, expand, and modernize Illinois’ transportation network.
Military & Veterans
MARK CURRAN
America must keep the promises we have made to our veterans. They are our heroes and as such deserve our thanks and the best health care available. My past service helping the veterans in Lake County reflected my deep appreciation for them. We must take care of them and show that appreciation for their sacrifices to keep our freedom.
DICK DURBIN
As a leader of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I work every day to ensure that our men and women in uniform are the best trained, best equipped force in the world and that their families receive the support and recognition they deserve. The needs of all our servicemembers – active duty and reserve, in theatre, or here at home – are our first concern.
Thousands of Illinois’s finest serve in the military today. Illinois’ 13,000 National Guard men and women and the tens of thousands of active duty, reservists, and civilian personnel serving at Naval Station Great Lakes, Rock Island Arsenal and Scott Air Force Base defend our nation every day from domestic emergencies and foreign threats. I have worked to secure critical support and resources over multiple years for military missions in or near Illinois, supporting thousands of jobs.
In addition to advocating for our troops, I support those who have served in uniform. Veterans – 750,000 of whom live in Illinois – deserve our deepest gratitude and unqualified support. We, as a nation, have promised veterans that in exchange for their service they will have access to certain benefits and care. These men and women answered the nation’s call to serve, but doing so put strain on them, their families, and their finances. It is our duty in Congress to ease this burden as much as possible and deliver on our promise.
Public Safety
MARK CURRAN
Law Enforcement needs our support. They are dealing with suicide and addiction rates, post traumatic stress disorder, it’s a very lonely job and now the morale is really suffering. Hear more in Curran’s speech in Yorkville, Illinois. “The thin blue line is what separates Illinois citizens from the criminals.”
DICK DURBIN
N/A
Rural and Agriculture
MARK CURRAN
N/A
DICK DURBIN
As one of the top agricultural states in the nation, Illinois and its farmers have an important role to play in many elements of American life from the economy to the environment. Corn is Illinois’ leading crop, followed closely by soybeans. Livestock, dairy and poultry also contribute to farming’s $9 billion in economic impact each year. Illinois also enjoys a strong market in farm machinery manufacturing and biofuels production. To help maintain the agricultural strength of our state and our nation, I have supported tax fairness for farmers, improvements in crop insurance, expanded use of clean-burning and environmentally safe biofuels, increased support for local food production, and increased trade opportunities for agricultural commodities. I have advanced initiatives to strengthen this crucial sector of our economy because boosting the vitality of our nation’s rural regions boosts the vitality of our nation as a whole.
