Dick Durbin, a longtime Democratic senator, will not run for reelection in 2026.
After serving as Illinois' congressional representative for many years, the second-ranking Senate Democrat will retire.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., ended his decades-long career in Congress on Wednesday by declaring he would not run for reelection in 2026.
As the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee and the second-ranked Democrat in the Senate, Durbin's move will create a leadership vacancy in the chamber and is anticipated to spark a fierce primary for his seat in firmly blue Illinois.
"Choosing to seek for re-election has not been a simple decision. Being a United States Senator is a profession that I genuinely enjoy. However, I feel deep down that it is time to transmit the torch," he stated in a statement and social media video released on Wednesday. "Therefore, today I am declaring that I will not run for re-election at the end of my term."
Having been elected in 1996, Durbin, at 80, is tied for the fifth-most senior Senate member. Prior to that, Durbin represented Illinois in the House for 14 years.
Durbin's office listed his efforts to get 235 federal judges—including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson—through the Judiciary Committee during his tenure as chairman, from 2021 to 2024, as one of his greatest legislative accomplishments.
Along with working on several criminal justice reforms, he spearheaded the effort to outlaw smoking on flights. Durbin introduced the "DREAM Act" in 2001 as one of the original authors, which aimed to provide a road to citizenship for young people who had been brought to the nation illegally. Despite never passing, it paved the way for the 2012 executive action that established the "DACA" program.
His resignation leaves a void that Illinois Democrats will probably fight to fill, with a wide range of local and federal lawmakers potentially vying for the position.
A hypothetical survey evaluating a potential Democratic primary field that featured Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Reps. Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Lauren Underwood was recently issued by the progressive organization 314 Action. Underwood has previously received backing from the group, which favors candidates with backgrounds in science and technology.
For years, Krishnamoorthi has been hoarding money, which has fueled rumors that he may run for higher position in the future. He had more than $19 million in his campaign account at the end of the year's first fundraising quarter.
Kelly's campaign ended the same time with $2 million, while Underwood's had $1.1 million. Additionally, Stratton launched a federal political action committee earlier this year, marking her new foray into federal politics.
Democratic Governor JB Pritzker has not stated if he intends to compete for re-election next year, adding to the uncertainty in Illinois as he continues to place a strong emphasis on opposing President Donald Trump. Democrats may also be very interested in that free seat if he chooses to leave the governor's mansion before a possible 2028 presidential run.
Despite Trump's wins in the state in November, Durbin's seat is likely to stay in Democratic control. With 54% of the vote, then-Vice President Kamala Harris won Illinois by 11 percentage points.
His efforts were commended by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who formerly competed with Durbin for the conference leader position."This institution, the United States, and his beloved Illinois have been forever changed by his unwavering dedication to justice, his unrelenting support of Americans in need, and his wise leadership," Schumer added. "His service has improved the Senate and the nation."
On Wednesday, other Democrats in the Senate praised Durbin's congressional career.
Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, a member of the party's leadership in the chamber, said in a statement that Senator Dick Durbin has been "a pillar of leadership, honesty, and unshakable dedication to the people of his home state of Illinois and the nation" for more than 40 years.
Along with Senators Tina Smith of Minnesota, Gary Peters of New Hampshire, and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Durbin is the fourth Democrat in the Senate to declare plans to retire before the 2026 midterm elections.
Democrats would need to flip four GOP-held seats in addition to defending those and other seats next year if they want to win the Senate majority.
