Rep. Robin Kelly launches campaign to replace Sen. Durbin

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-2) is the second well-known Democrat to announce a campaign for Sen. Dick Durbin's seat.

Kelly has served as a congresswoman since 2013, representing a district spanning from the Chicago suburbs along the Indiana border to Danville and west to Rantoul and Pontiac.

Kelly launched her U.S. Senate campaign with a video early Tuesday morning, describing herself as an underdog her whole life. The campaign video features photos from Kelly's childhood and young adult life before politics. It then features her rise to prominence as a top Illinois leader.

"This moment requires proven leaders who have the experience to take on the toughest battles," Kelly said. "I've never backed down - not from gun lobbyists, not from MAGA extremists, and certainly not from a fight for what's right."

Kelly joins Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, who jumped into the Senate race less than 24 hours after Durbin made his retirement announcement. The Senate race is expected to grow in the coming weeks with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Rep. Lauren Underwood potentially kicking off their own campaigns for the seat.

Kelly told NBC Chicago that she is the best candidate for the job with experience at the state, local and federal level.

"My district right now is urban, suburban, and rural, so I work in a district that definitely is the state of Illinois, and I've worked statewide before," Kelly said. "I know people from the bottom of the state to the top of the state, east to west."