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From NBC News: Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in 2026, ending his decadeslong career in Congress.
The decision from Durbin, who is the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate and the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, will open up a leadership position on the chamber and is expected to set off a competitive primary for his seat in solidly blue Illinois.
Durbin, 80, is tied for the fifth-most senior member of the Senate, having been elected in 1996. Prior to that, Durbin represented Illinois in the House for 14 years.
His decision to step aside creates a vacancy that Illinois Democrats will likely scramble to fill, with a deep bench of federal and local lawmakers who could be contenders for the seat.
In a post on social media Wednesday morning, Durbin announced, “The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy. I truly love the job of being a United States Senator. But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch. So, I am announcing today that I will not be seeking re-election at the end of my term.”
The people of Illinois have honored me with this responsibility longer than anyone elected to the Senate in our state’s history, and I am truly grateful.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) April 23, 2025
To the Illinoisans who gave the kid from East St. Louis a chance to serve: Thank you for supporting me—through words and actions—over the years.
Now that I have this announcement behind me, I need to get back to work.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) April 23, 2025
Other Democrat senators who have also announced plans to retire when their current term is up in 2026 include Sen. Gary Peters (Mich.), Sen. Tina Smith (Minn.) and Jeanne Shaheen (NH).
Longtime Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin will not seek re-election in 2026
He is 80 years old and started his congressional career in the House, in 1983. https://t.co/LJ92r7bIbU
— Scott Wong (@scottwongDC) April 23, 2025
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