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Sen Dick Durbin announces retirement from Senate, will not seek re-election

On Wednesday Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced his retirement at the end of his current term and will not seek re‑election in 2026.

The declaration closes the chapter on a political career that began in 1982 and has seen Durbin rise to one of the most powerful positions in the Senate.

Durbin first won elected office at age 37, capturing a U.S. House seat in Illinois’s 20th District in 1982. He served seven two‑year terms in the House, building a reputation as a skilled legislator and party loyalist, before successfully challenging incumbent Republican Senator Al Simpson in the 1996 midterms.

In 2004, he was elected Democratic Whip, the second‑highest leadership post in the Senate, and has held that position ever since. Over his 28 years in the Senate, Durbin became known for his advocacy on immigration reform, civil rights, and consumer protection.

A key architect of the DREAM Act, he pressed for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. He also championed financial safeguards in the wake of the 2008 crisis, helping craft the Dodd‑Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

In Illinois, Durbin secured billions in federal transportation and infrastructure funding, backed Chicago O’Hare Airport expansion projects, and fought to protect the Great Lakes. Nationally, he led efforts to tighten gun safety laws, pressing for enhanced background checks after mass shootings.

“It’s Time to Pass the Torch”

Durbin, 80, cited his age as the principal factor in his decision. In an interview with Chicago public radio station WBEZ, he said, “By the end of a sixth term, I’d be 88. I’ve decided not to run for re‑election. I plan to work full time until that moment, but I’m not going to be waging a campaign for re‑election. In my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch.”

In a video announcement on social media, Durbin reflected on the difficulty of the choice: “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.”

Durbin’s Senate leadership counterpart, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), praised his colleague’s institutional knowledge. “Senator Durbin has been a steadfast voice for his state and for our country,” McConnell said. “His decades of service have left an indelible mark on the Senate, and his absence will be felt.”

Impact on the Senate Majority

Durbin’s departure triggers a scramble among Illinois Democrats eyeing his seat. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) have publicly expressed interest.

Stratton, in particular, has garnered early attention—she would be the first woman and the first Black officeholder elected to the Senate from Illinois.

At the national level, Durbin’s retirement complicates Senate Democratic plans to retain their narrow majority. As Majority Whip, Durbin was instrumental in rounding up votes for President Biden’s judicial nominees and key legislative priorities—including the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act. His exit reduces the Democratic leadership bench and removes a seasoned vote‑counter.

A Legacy of Bipartisan Negotiation

Colleagues on both sides of the aisle lauded Durbin’s collaborative style. Sen. John Cornyn (R‑TX) remarked, “Dick knows everyone’s number and makes it his job to find common ground. That talent will be tough to replace.” Durbin’s ability to negotiate carve‑outs on contentious issues—such as funding immigration enforcement while protecting “dreamers”—was central to his legislative success.

Durbin also played a prominent role in foreign policy debates, serving on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He helped secure U.S. sanctions against Russia after its 2014 annexation of Crimea, pressed for human rights conditions in U.S. aid packages, and led Senate investigations into pandemic preparedness following the COVID‑19 crisis.

Looking Ahead

Durbin’s term expires in January 2027, setting the stage for a competitive primary next spring and a likely bruising general election in a battleground state.

Illinois has trended reliably Democratic in federal races—Biden carried the state by 17 points in 2020—but Durbin’s personal brand and seniority afforded him comfortable margins that a new nominee may not enjoy.

In Washington, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D‑NY) named Sen. Patty Murray (D‑WA), the next ranking Democrat on the whip team, as the likely successor to Durbin in leadership. “Patty shares Dick’s skills as a vote‑counter and consensus builder,” Schumer said. “She’ll hit the ground running.”

As Durbin prepares to close out an era, he reiterated that he intends to remain fully engaged through the end of his term. “I’m not just winding down,” he told WBEZ. “I owe the people of Illinois my absolute best until the very last day.”

His retirement marks the end of a 44‑year career that saw him evolve from a freshman congressman into one of the Senate’s most influential leaders—cementing a legacy of pragmatic policymaking and relentless advocacy for the underrepresented. “It’s been an honor,” Durbin said. “But every story needs an ending, and now it’s time for a new chapter in Illinois and in the Senate.”