Bharatvanshi MP Krishnamoorthi included among 50 top influential people

Indian-American MP Raja Krishnamoorthy has been included in the list of 50 most powerful people in Chicago Magazine, a top American magazine. Krishnamoorthy plans to run for US Senate in 2026.

Got 24th position in heavy hitters list:

• The New Delhi-born and Illinois-raised Democrat is ranked 24th on Chicago Magazine's Heavy Hitters list. In which Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is at the top.
• Elected to Congress in 2016, Krishnamoorthy is now in his fourth term representing Illinois's 8th district. Which includes Chicago's west and northwest suburbs as well as the city's 41st Ward.
• According to Chicago Magazine, "Krishnamoorthy has $14.4 million in his campaign fund." According to the magazine, this amount is three times more than that of any other congressional representative from Illinois, and the third largest in the entire Congress.
• In 2022 he donated $460,000 to Democratic candidates and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Will contest election to replace Dick Durbin in 2026:

• According to the magazine, if Dick Durbin retires, he could run for the Senate in 2026. Durbin, 79, is in his fifth Senate term and has served as Senate Democratic Whip since 2005.
• Apart from Krishnamoorthy, many other politicians are also eyeing Durbin's Senate seat. Political consultant Tom Bowen believes that Krishnamoorthy is raising money to prepare for the Senate race.

Number of members in the US Congress is 535:

• The US Congress has 535 voting members, 100 senators, and 435 representatives. Whereas, senators represent their entire state, House members represent individual districts.
• Vice President Kamala Harris is the only Indian-American to currently preside over the US Senate. Kamala Harris will contest the 2024 elections as President Joe Biden's running mate.
• Five Indian-Americans, including Krishnamoorthy, were elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 in one of the country's most polarized midterm elections.