Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, announced on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in 2026, marking the end of his long tenure in Congress.
Durbin, the Senate’s second-highest-ranking Democrat and the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, leaves behind a significant leadership role in the chamber. His departure is expected to spark a competitive primary in the reliably Democratic state of Illinois.
“Deciding whether to run again has been difficult. I genuinely love serving as a United States Senator,” Durbin said in a statement and accompanying video posted to social media. “But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch. That’s why I’m announcing today that I will not seek re-election when my term ends.”
At 80 years old, Senator Dick Durbin is tied as the fifth-most senior member of the U.S. Senate, having served since his election in 1996. Before that, he represented Illinois in the House of Representatives for 14 years.
Among his notable legislative accomplishments, Durbin’s office highlighted his role in advancing 235 federal judicial nominations through the Senate Judiciary Committee between 2021 and 2024 during his time as chairman—a group that includes Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Durbin also played a key role in banning smoking on airplanes and championed a range of criminal justice reforms. He was a principal author of the original “DREAM Act,” introduced in 2001, which aimed to create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented young people brought to the U.S. as children. While the bill never passed, it laid the groundwork for the DACA program established by executive action in 2012.
His departure sets the stage for a wide-open race in deep-blue Illinois, where several prominent Democrats are likely to vie for the seat. A recent poll by the progressive group 314 Action tested possible primary matchups including Reps. Lauren Underwood, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Robin Kelly, along with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. The group, which supports candidates with backgrounds in science and technology, has previously endorsed Underwood.
Krishnamoorthi has long been seen as a potential statewide contender, amassing over $19 million in campaign funds by the end of the first quarter. Underwood reported $1.1 million in the bank, while Kelly had $2 million. Stratton, meanwhile, has begun laying the groundwork for a federal run by launching a political action committee earlier this year.
Adding to the political uncertainty in Illinois, Democratic Governor JB Pritzker has yet to announce whether he will seek re-election next year. As he continues to focus his efforts on pushing back against former President Donald Trump, speculation is growing about a possible 2028 presidential run. Should Pritzker opt not to run again, the governor’s mansion could become another high-profile race, drawing strong interest from within the Democratic Party.
Despite Trump’s gains in the state during the last election, Senator Durbin’s seat is expected to remain safely in Democratic hands. Then-Vice President Kamala Harris carried Illinois by 11 points, earning 54% of the vote.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.—who once competed with Durbin for party leadership—praised his longtime colleague, saying, “His deep commitment to justice, his tireless advocacy for Americans in need, and his wisdom in leadership have left an indelible mark on this institution, the United States, and his beloved Illinois. The Senate—and the country—are better because of his service.”
Other Senate Democrats echoed the sentiment. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, a member of the party’s leadership team, called Durbin “a pillar of leadership, integrity, and unwavering dedication to the people of his home state of Illinois and the nation.”
Durbin becomes the fourth Senate Democrat to announce retirement plans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, joining Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Gary Peters of Michigan, and Tina Smith of Minnesota.
The wave of retirements poses a challenge for Democrats, who already face a tough road to maintaining—or reclaiming—a Senate majority. Alongside defending their own seats, they would need to flip at least four Republican-held seats to take control.
