Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat within the Senate, introduced Wednesday that he received’t search reelection in 2026, probably making manner for extra recent blood because the get together pushes again towards President Trump.
“I truly love the job of being a United States senator. But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch,” Durbin, 80, mentioned in a video assertion. “So, I am announcing today that I will not be seeking reelection at the end of my term.”
Durbin’s announcement leaves an empty coveted seat representing Illinois, the nation’s third most-populous solidly blue state.
It additionally will result in a altering of the guard in Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer’s Democratic management staff, the place Durbin had been his high lieutenant and rating member of the highly effective Judiciary Committee.
President Joe Biden speaks as Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, of N.Y.,, left, and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-In poor health., proper, pay attention throughout an occasion to mark his administration’s efforts to substantiate federal judges throughout his time period within the State Eating Room on the White Home, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photograph/Mark Schiefelbein)
A mainstream liberal, Durbin is the fourth Democratic senator to announce they received’t run for reelection, a major turnover that displays the uphill battle the get together should retake management of the Senate.
Essentially the most generally talked about Democratic candidates to succeed Durbin embody Rep. Lauren Underwood, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Rep. Kelly together with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. Republicans made inroads in Illinois within the 2024 presidential election, however any GOP candidate would begin as an extended shot.
Durbin didn’t endorse anybody to fill his seat.
One other senior Chicago-area Democrat, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, 80, additionally advised supporters she received’t run for a fifteenth time period within the Home and can formally announce her retirement subsequent month.
Durbin’s retirement had been rumored for months as a result of he had barely raised any cash for a reelection marketing campaign that in any other case ought to have already began kicking into gear.
A local of downstate East St. Louis, Durbin spent 44 years in Congress and 30 years within the Senate.
Rating Member Sen. Dick Durbin, D-In poor health., questions the witnesses throughout a Senate Judiciary Committee listening to on fentanyl, and the necessity for everlasting class scheduling, on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photograph/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
Schumer thanked Durbin for his service, recalling that he and his colleague as soon as shared a Washington D.C., residence.
“He’s been a trusted partner, one of the most respected voices in the Senate for decades, [and] my dear friend,” Schumer mentioned in an announcement.
Schumer’s present time period runs by means of 2028. He has not mentioned something about his plans to hunt reelection.
Initially Printed: April 23, 2025 at 12:28 PM EDT
