Primary battle for U.S. Senate seat gets real

A trio of front-runners along with some new names jumped into the race Monday to fill U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat.

Elected Democrats filing petitions with the Illinois State Board of Elections comprised U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly of Lynwood and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton of Chicago.

For the Republicans, retired IT professional Casey Chlebek of Lake Forest made it official. Former Illinois Republican Party chair Don Tracy of Springfield also is expected to file petitions.

Other Democratic contenders jumping into the fray include: former congressional aide and Chicagoan Steve Botsford; Chicago teacher Kevin Ryan; and Jump Shepherd of North Riverside, an electrician.

Monday marked the start of the filing period for the March 17 primary. Filing ends Nov. 3.

Durbin, a Springfield Democrat serving his fifth Senate term, announced in April he would be retiring instead of seeking reelection.