Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, announced on Wednesday that he will not run for re-election in 2026, bringing his long political career in Congress to an end.
Durbin is the second-highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate and the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. His decision to step down will leave a major leadership spot open and is expected to spark a competitive Democratic primary in solidly blue Illinois.
“Deciding not to run again wasn’t easy. I truly love being a U.S. Senator. But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch,” Durbin said in a statement and video posted online. “So, I’m announcing today that I won’t seek re-election at the end of my term.”
The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy. I truly love the job of being a United States Senator.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) April 23, 2025
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. pic.twitter.com/eiBTPjToFT
Durbin, who is 80 years old, is one of the longest-serving members of the Senate. He was first elected in 1996, after spending 14 years in the House of Representatives.
Among his key accomplishments, Durbin helped confirm 235 federal judges while chairing the Judiciary Committee from 2021 to 2024. That group includes Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
He also led the effort to ban smoking on airplanes and pushed for criminal justice reforms. Durbin co-wrote the "DREAM Act" in 2001, which aimed to give undocumented young people a path to citizenship. Although it didn’t pass, it led to the DACA program in 2012.
Durbin’s departure opens up a U.S. Senate seat that many Illinois Democrats may want to pursue. The state has several federal and local leaders who could run for the seat.
A group called 314 Action recently released a poll showing a possible Democratic primary lineup. The names included Reps. Lauren Underwood, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Robin Kelly, along with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. The group supports candidates with science and tech backgrounds and has backed Underwood before.
Krishnamoorthi has been raising campaign funds for years, leading to talk that he might run for higher office. He finished the first quarter of the year with more than $19 million in his campaign account.
Underwood had $1.1 million, while Kelly reported $2 million. Stratton has shown interest in national politics, launching a federal PAC earlier this year.
Adding to the uncertainty in Illinois politics, Democratic Governor JB Pritzker hasn’t said yet if he’ll run for re-election in 2026. He’s been focused on opposing Donald Trump and could be eyeing a 2028 presidential run. If he steps down, that would open another major seat in the state.
Durbin’s Senate seat is expected to remain Democratic. Even though Trump gained ground in Illinois, Kamala Harris won the state in 2020 by 11 points, with 54% of the vote.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer praised Durbin’s work, saying he made a lasting impact on the Senate, the country, and Illinois. “His deep commitment to justice, his tireless advocacy for Americans in need, and his wisdom in leadership have left an indelible mark,” Schumer said.
Other Democratic senators also praised Durbin’s service on Wednesday.
“For more than 40 years, Senator Dick Durbin has been a pillar of leadership, integrity, and dedication to Illinois and the nation,” said Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii, a member of the Senate Democratic leadership.
Durbin is the fourth Democratic senator to announce retirement plans ahead of the 2026 elections. Others include Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Gary Peters of Michigan, and Tina Smith of Minnesota.
Democrats face a tough battle to keep control of the Senate. In addition to defending these seats, they’ll need to flip four Republican-held seats to win back a majority.
