In a significant boost to his U.S. Senate campaign, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has secured the endorsement of former Illinois Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon. In a video statement released Tuesday, Simon announced her support, adding to the growing list of prominent downstate leaders rallying behind Krishnamoorthi.
“Raja is the kind of leader who listens to and fights for every Illinois community, not just the ones closest to Chicago,” said Former Lt. Governor Simon. “Raja is ready to not just represent the state of Illinois, but to be the kind of national leader we need right now. He is primed to step into the traditions of some amazing U.S. Senators — Dick Durbin, Barack Obama, and my favorite, my dad.”
Simon, who served as Illinois’s 46th Lieutenant Governor from 2011 to 2015, has a long history of public service deeply rooted in advocacy, education, and justice. As the daughter of former U.S. Senator Paul Simon, she has continued her family legacy through roles as a Jackson County prosecutor, Carbondale City Council member, and member of the Illinois Reform Commission. Today, she serves as Acting Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Law at the Southern Illinois Simmons School of Law.
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Krishnamoorthi welcomed the endorsement, highlighting the shared values and vision both leaders hold for Illinois communities.
“Former Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon has spent her career fighting for justice and standing up for communities too often pushed to the margins, and I am honored to have earned her endorsement in this race,” said Raja. “The former Lt. Gov. and her family embody the true meaning of public service and working tirelessly to improve the lives of everyday people — a shared commitment we have long bonded over. Few understand Illinois better than Sheila does, which is why I look forward to continuing to work alongside her to deliver meaningful, lasting results for families in every corner of our state.”
Krishnamoorthi, a Peoria native, has positioned himself as the strongest downstate candidate in the Senate race. His campaign emphasizes a commitment to working families and communities across Illinois, beyond the Chicago metropolitan area. Earlier this year, he embarked on a comprehensive downstate listening tour, engaging directly with residents in cities including the Quad Cities, Rockford, Bloomington, Springfield, East Alton, and Petersburg.
During the tour’s Carbondale stop, Simon hosted Krishnamoorthi at her family home, where community members, students, and local leaders gathered to discuss key issues and hear directly from the candidate.
Simon’s endorsement adds to a growing wave of support from influential local and regional leaders across Illinois. She joins current and former elected officials such as Congressman Phil Hare (IL-17), State Representative Sharon Chung, and several county Democratic chairs, including Jay Briney (Mason County), Andy Asadorian (Madison County), and Sandra Cummings (Pope County).
From Carbondale to Rockford, Illinois leaders across the state are coalescing behind Krishnamoorthi, recognizing his track record as a “proven champion for working families” and his ability to deliver meaningful results.