SPRINGFIELD — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy today released his first digital ad of the 2026 election cycle, “Your American Dream.” The introductory ad highlights the real-life struggles Illinois families face under the sky-high cost of living, and Tracy’s commitment to fighting for common sense solutions in Washington.

The video features Tracy speaking directly with everyday Illinoisans: a nurse living paycheck-to-paycheck, a senior forced to keep working at 71, a third-generation farmer squeezed by rising input costs, and a college student juggling two jobs to pay for school. Their stories underscore a central message of Tracy’s campaign: the American Dream is slipping out of reach for too many families because career politicians are focused on special interests and extreme agendas instead of people.

“The sky-high cost of living has made the American Dream feel out of reach for everyday Illinoisans,” Tracy said. “I’ve lived the struggles working families are facing, and I’m running because Washington needs leaders who will put people first, not politics.”

Tracy’s top priority is lowering the cost of living for working families by reducing energy, gas, health care, and housing costs; cutting wasteful government spending; and supporting small businesses, manufacturers, and farmers across all 102 counties of Illinois.

Unlike his Democrat opponents, career politicians from Chicago and Cook County, Tracy brings decades of real-world experience throughout Illinois. He began working in his family’s warehouse at age 10, worked his way through college, ran a small business, and spent his career helping families and small businesses succeed.

“Illinois working families deserve someone who will fight for them, not special interests,” Tracy says. “I will take that fight to the U.S. Senate so every Illinoisan has the opportunity to pursue their own American Dream.”

“Your American Dream” will run on digital platforms.

NOTE: Transcript included below. 

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Transcript of ‘Your American Dream’

Don: The sky-high cost of living has made the American Dream seem out-of-reach for many everyday Illinoisans. 

Woman 1: I’ve been a registered nurse for the last 2 years. And I feel like I’ve been living paycheck-to-paycheck. Groceries being expensive, gas being expensive… and on top of that my bills to keep a roof over my head.

Don: May I ask why you’re still working at 71?

Man 1: I can’t retire. Things have gotten so tight money-wise. I’ve got to pay the bills and I’ve got to eat. 

Don: So, you’re a third generation farmer? 

Farmer: Yep. Third-generation.

Don: Tell me about the inputs on farming. How have those prices gone up? 

Farmer: Started with a shortage of all the stuff in 2020. And then, grain prices keep going down and input prices keep going up. 

Don: Illinois working families need someone who will work for them in Washington, not for special interests. 

Man 1: Politicians over the long-term, they have a lot of special interests. I don’t think they care about the little guys out here that made this country. 

Don: If you had a choice between someone running for office who is going to focus on and prioritize reducing the cost of living or a career politician, which choice would you make? 

Farmer: The guy that’s not a career politician. The longer you're a career politician, the less connected you are to the people you got elected to go serve. 

Don: Who’s paying for your education? 

Woman: Mostly me and loans. 

Don: So you’re working your way through college? 

Woman: I am. I work two jobs. 

Don: That’s great. I worked my way through college, as well. 

Don: I understand the struggles of working families. I started working in the warehouse of our family business when I was 10 years old. My wife is the daughter of a factory worker and handyman. I will be the voice for everyday Illinoisans in Washington. 

I’m Don Tracy. I spent my career working for families and small businesses. I’m ready to take that fight to the U.S. Senate. I will fight with everything I have, so everyone in our great state has the opportunity to pursue their own American Dream.