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The ‘Chicago Magazine’ has named Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi as one of the 50 most influential individuals in Chicago, ranking him at 24th on the “heavy hitters” list.

This makes Raja Krishnamoorthi the highest-ranked person of South Asian descent on the list.

Illinois Governor J B Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson topped the list released by the Chicago-based magazine.

Born in New Delhi to parents from Tamil Nadu, Raja Krishnamoorthi was raised in Illinois.

Krishnamoorthi, 50, having been elected to Congress in 2016, is serving his fourth term as a representative for Illinois’ 8th District, which consists of Chicago’s west and northwest suburbs and the city’s 41st ward.

“Krishnamoorthi… who used his former perch as the chairman of a House Oversight subcommittee to investigate everything from the Washington Commanders to the baby formula shortage, has $14.4 million in his campaign coffers,” the magazine said.

This amount of money exceeds the campaign funds of any other congressional representative from Illinois by over three times. It ranks as the third-highest total in Congress overall, according to the magazine.

“As of now, he is “stockpiling his campaign cash to run for the Senate in 2026, if Dick Durbin retires,” according to the magazine.

“Raja is a huge player across the country,” said a political consultant.

Describing Krishnamoorthi as the “most powerful” South Asian in the Greater Chicago Area, Chicago Magazine also noted his intention to run for the US Senate in 2026.

In 2022, Krishnamoorthi contributed $460,000 to Democratic candidates and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.