Senate GOP Eyeing Kinzinger to Challenge Duckworth
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon) appears to be the top choice of Senate Republicans in Washington to take on Sen. Tammy Duckworth in 2022. Kinzinger’s district may be dismantled in redistricting, making a potential run for Senate more likely.
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
There has been plenty of attention paid to Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon), specifically since breaking up with the Trump wing of the GOP following the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Kinzinger has been a fixture on cable news, has raised piles of cash, and has been in the crosshairs of nearly every Trump supporting Republican from Mar-a-Lago to shining sea. Speculation has begun to increase in recent weeks that Democrats will dismantle Kinzinger’s current 16th Congressional District in redistricting, likely leaving him a nearly unwinnable Democratic district.
Kinzinger has openly mulled a run for U.S. Senate if gerrymandered out of a House district. The Illinoize reached out to sources with knowledge of DC Republicans and the plans of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
As of Thursday night, Kinzinger and the NRSC had not spoken about his entry into the Senate race. While it doesn’t sound like the NRSC is actively recruiting, those on the inside believe Kinzinger is the GOP’s best chance to beat incumbent Sen. Tammy Duckworth next year.
“To win a state like Illinois, you have to appeal to swing voters and moderates, and [Kinzinger] can do that,” a DC Republican told us. "The seat is absolutely winnable under the right circumstances."
Sources tell us Republican power brokers believe Kinzinger, who reported about $3 million cash in his campaign account in July, is an accomplished fundraiser and could keep pace with Duckworth. Duckworth reported around $5 million cash on hand in July.
National Republicans believe Duckworth can be beaten, but seemingly don’t believe any of the current handful of candidates are realistic challengers. Only one reported more than $1,000 cash on hand in July.
In a text message from Kinzinger this week, he declined to go into specifics on his thought process and status.
“We will see,” he said.
