A newly elected Democratic Illinois state lawmaker announced Tuesday she will run for the U.S. Senate in 2020, challenging Sen. Dick Durbin (D., Ill.).
"I’m running for U.S. Senate in 2020," Anne Stava-Murray wrote in a Facebook post. "New year, new news!"
Stava-Murray unveiled a laundry list of progressive agenda items in announcing her decision. Fresh off a surprising win for the Illinois State House in the Chicago suburbs, the mother of three said she ran because she was tired of bullies.
"I ran for State Rep in 2018 because I was so sick of being indirectly bullied by our political machines who care more about preserving themselves than the health and wellness of the people," she wrote.
She hasn't been sworn in yet for her new position.
Among the policies she supports are Medicare for all, gun control, "union solidarity," and calling for an end to the Citizens United decision. Stava-Murray drew attention during the campaign and said she received threats for vowing not to support powerful Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D.).
Durbin would be up for a fifth term if he seeks reelection and would be 76 years old on Inauguration Day in 2021. The Senate Democratic Whip, he's represented Illinois in the U.S. Senate since winning his first seat in 1996 and has been in Congress since 1982.
Stava-Murray didn't mention Durbin in her post but noted she was the only candidate so far to affirm a bid for the office.
"If you live in IL, you will be voting on a Senator in 2020. No other candidates have said clearly "I’m running," as of this posting. Let me be the first to say, I’m running and I hope you’ll vote for me," she wrote.