Sen. Dick Durbin announced Wednesday that he would not seek reelection in 2026, ending his decades-old career in Congress.
The decision from Durbin, the second-ranked Democrat in the Senate and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, is expected to begin leadership positions at the Chamber of Commerce and launch a competitive primary for his seat in solid blue Illinois.
“Deciding whether to run for reelection or not was not easy. I really love the job of being a US Senator, but in my mind I know it's time to hand over the torch,” he said in a statement and a video posted on social media. “So today I am announcing today that I will not seek reelection at the end of my term.”
Durbin, 80, is tied for the fifth-highest member of the Senate, elected in 1996. Prior to that, Durbin represented Illinois in the House of Representatives for 14 years.
Durbin's office cited the move to direct 235 federal judges through the Judiciary Committee from 2021 to 2024, among his biggest legislative achievements. He served as chairman.
He also led the charges to ban smoking on planes and worked on various criminal justice reforms. Durbin was the original author of Dream Law, which illegally brought the path to citizenship to young people and demonstrated that they would first introduce them in 2001. It never passed, but led to postponed actions for the child's arrival program created by Executive Action in 2012.
His decision to stay aside creates vacancy that Illinois Democrats are likely to try to fill in deep benches of federal and local lawmakers who could become seat candidates.
Progressive group, 314 Action, recently released a virtual poll testing key areas of the Democratic Party, including Lauren Underwood, Raja Krishnamoulty, Robin Kelly and Lt. Col. Juliana Stratton. Groups supporting candidates from science and technology backgrounds have supported Underwood in the past.
According to sources familiar with the issue, Krishnamoorti, who has been working at home since 2017, is considering jumping into the Senate race. He has stockpiled money for years, robbing speculation about future bids for a higher office. Krishnamoorthi raised more than $3 million in the first quarter of the year and deposited $19 million in the bank.
Sources familiar with her ideas say Underwood is considering a Senate run and has built her political tactics. The Underwood campaign entered April with $1.1 million in hand, compared to Kelly's $2 million.
Sources close to Stratton's political operations also confirmed that the lieutenant governor is weighing the Senate run. Stratton launched the Federal Committee on Political Action earlier this year, and last week told the Chicago Sun-Times that it would “strongly consider” advocate for another elected office if an opportunity arises.
In addition to Illinois' uncertainty, Democrat Gov. JB Pritzker has not confirmed whether he plans to run for reelection next year as he continues to fight back against President Donald Trump. If he decides to leave the governor's mansion ahead of a potential 2028 presidential bid, the open sheet could attract a lot of attention among Democrats as well.
Durbin's seats are expected to remain democratic despite Trump's profits in the state in November. Then-President Kamala Harris scored 11% points in Illinois and won by a 54% vote.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., who once formed a rivalry with Durbin for the conference leader, praised his work. “His deep commitment to justice, his tireless advocacy for Americans in need, and his leader's wisdom left an indelible mark on this institution, the United States and his beloved Illinois,” Schumer said. “The Senate and the nation are excellent for his service.”
Other Senate Democrats praised Durbin's Congressional career on Wednesday.
“For more than 40 years, Sen. Dick Durbin has been a pillar of leadership, integrity and unwavering dedication to Illinois and the nation's hometowns,” party leader Sen. Brian Schatz, de Hawaiian, said in a statement.
Durbin is a fourth Senate Democrat who, together with New Hampshire's Jeanne Shaheen, Michigan's Gary Peters and Minnesota's Tina Smith, announced plans to retire ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Democrats face difficult climbs to win a Senate majority. Next year, in addition to defending those and other seats, they will need to flip four GOP held seats.