Former Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy said Wednesday he has loaned $2 million to his nascent campaign seeking the Republican nomination for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat next year.

Although little known outside Illinois GOP political circles, Tracy, a Springfield attorney , is the most prominent name among the seven Republicans who have announced their Senate candidacies.

Another 11 Democrats have announced their intention to run in the March 17 primary for the seat that veteran U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is retiring from in 2027, including U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg and Robin Kelly of Matteson, as well as Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.

Tracy, who resigned from Republican chairmanship last year because of internal disputes that threatened his continued leadership ,

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