Don Tracy, a Republican from Springfield, is running for U.S. Senate in Illinois.
Tracy, an attorney and former chair of the Illinois Republican Party, faces Democratic candidate Juliana Stratton and American Center candidate Whitfield Harrington Jr. in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady.
Candidate information
- Party: Republican
- Residence: Springfield, Illinois
- Birthplace: Urbana, Illinois; raised in Mount Sterling, Illinois
- Education: Bachelor's degree in general business administration, Arizona State University (1972); juris doctor, University of Memphis (1976)
Experience and public service
Tracy owned Don Tracy PC from 1982 to 1990, according to his BallotReady profile. He was a partner at Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen from 1990 to 1995. He has been a partner at Brown Hay & Stephens from 1995 to the present.
Beyond his law practice, Tracy has held civic and political roles. He served as president of the Sangamon County Bar Association and the Abraham Lincoln Association, and as secretary of the Illinois Bar Foundation, according to the Winnebago County GOP.
Tracy chaired the Illinois Gaming Board from 2015 to 2019 and chaired the Illinois Republican Party from 2021 to 2024, according to his Wikipedia entry. He ran for lieutenant governor in 2010.
On the issues
Economy: Tracy's campaign website calls for lowering the cost of doing business by cutting excess regulation. He said he would support American manufacturers and farmers by ensuring "a fair, level playing field when they compete in the global marketplace."
Energy and environment: On his campaign website, Tracy said he would push to lower energy and gas costs by pursuing a policy that uses all available energy sources. He said his approach would protect our energy independence "while continuing to transition to a clean energy future."
Endorsements
Tracy has received endorsements from several Republican figures and organizations, according to his Ballotpedia and BallotReady profiles. They include Leslie Munger, former Illinois comptroller and deputy governor; Dan Caulkins, former state representative; Roger Claar, former mayor of Bolingbrook; and Karen Hasara, former mayor of Springfield. Richard Porter, former Illinois RNC national committeeman, and Jeanne Ives, state central committeeman for the 3rd Congressional District, have also endorsed Tracy. County and township Republican organizations in Lake County, Madison County, Hanover Township and Wheeling Township have endorsed him, as has Illinois Family Action.
Policy positions attributed to Tracy in this profile are drawn from his responses on BallotReady and his campaign website. North Shore Weekly provides this profile to help voters evaluate candidates and does not endorse in any race.
