Duckworth announces re-election bid

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Tuesday took to Twitter to announce plans to run in 2022 for a second term.

In her brief tweet, Duckworth claimed her work for Illinois families and veterans isn’t finished. Duckworth, who turns 53 on Friday, is launching her re-election bid without a prominent Illinois Republican actively mounting a campaign to challenge her.

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After serving two terms in the House from a suburban Chicago district, Duckworth in 2016 defeated Republican Sen. Mark Kirk.

Duckworth’s tweet contained a fundraising link. She will have a Wednesday launch fundraiser headlining Sen. Dick Durbin and former 2020 Democratic presidential contenders Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The Rev. Raphael Warnock, the newly elected senator from Georgia, will also be featured.

Duckworth, who served in the reserves for 23 years before retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2014, is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Environment and Public Works; Commerce, Science and Transportation; and Small Business committees.

During her first term Duckworth became the first senator to give birth while in office. Husband Bryan Bowlsbey works in the information technology field.