Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the No. 2 Senate Democrat, announced Wednesday he will not seek a sixth term next year, marking an end to a decades-long congressional career. Durbin, 80, first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 and the U.S. Senate in 1996, is the longest-serving party whip in American history.
“The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy,” Durbin said in his announcement post. “I truly love the job of being a United States Senator. But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch.”
In February, the Democratic National Committee welcomed a new vice chair, David Hogg, to usher in a new era of progressive Democratic leaders. Durbin’s choice not to seek reelection will open up a top seat for Democratic leadership.
Durbin’s 30-year tenure ties him with Shelby Cullom for the record-longest term in Illinois history. Among his many achievements, Durbin first introduced the Dream Act in 2001, which helped push former President Barack Obama to create the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
“It’s time,” said Durbin, in an interview Wednesday with WBEZ. “You observe your colleagues and watch what happens. For some of them, there’s this miraculous aging process where they never seem to get too old.”
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Many Illinois Democrats expressed interest in the soon-to-be vacant Senate seat, including House Representatives Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lauren Underwood, as well as State Senator Robin Peters, former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton.
Durbin shared that he has been approached by many potential successors, but he does not intend to endorse any candidate unless something emerges that “is serious and I need to address it.”
In a press release, Governor JB Pritzker thanked Durbin for his years of service, during which the Senator also oversaw the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
“The people of Illinois should take great pride having a leader like Dick Durbin represent us in the U.S. Senate,” Pritzker wrote. “I have been proud to be his partner and am even more proud to call him my friend. He will leave some extraordinary shoes to fill – and has given us all an example of courage and righteousness for the work ahead.”
In his announcement, Durbin warned of what he sees as threats facing American democracy, affirming he will continue working throughout his remaining tenure in the Senate.
“Right now, the challenges facing our country are historic and unprecedented,” Durbin said. “The threat to our democracy and way of life are very real, and I can assure you, I’ll do everything in my power to fight for Illinois and the future of our country every day of my remaining time in the Senate.”
Durbin’s seat will open in Illinois’ U.S. Senate election on Nov. 3, 2026.
