Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), who rose up the ranks to become the second-ranked Democrat in the Senate during his more than four decades in Congress, announced on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in 2026.

His move sets the stage for a potentially fierce primary fight among Democrats in a deep-blue state.

“The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy,” Durbin said in a video. “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.”

Illinois voters elected Durbin to the House in 1982 and the Senate in 1996. Durbin served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and helped to confirm 235 judges, including Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. He became the second-ranking Democrat whip in 2005.

Durbin, 80, is the fourth Democrat in the upper chamber to rule out a re-election campaign in 2026. The others are Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Tina Smith (D-MN).

A number of Democrats are expected to announce campaigns for Durbin’s seat, including Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL).

The GOP could also compete, but it will likely be a tough race for any Republican who decides to run. When Durbin secured his fifth term in 2020, he defeated Republican candidate Mark Curran by more than 15 percentage points.

Currently, Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the Senate. There are also 45 Democrats and two independents who caucus with them.

Durbin’s office said he is the longest-serving whip for either party. His impending retirement also paves the way to a future contest for the role, which is used to rally members and secure votes.

Durbin’s career has not been without controversy, as reported by The Daily Wire.

One story covered how Durbin apologized to Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), the sole black Republican in the Senate, for referring to his police reform legislation as a “token” solution. Another focused on Durbin accusing Republican governors of violating “every basic standard of decency” by transporting migrants to sanctuary cities.

Mike Davis, who helped oversee the vetting of judicial appointments as a GOP Senate staffer and now runs the conservative Article III Project, was among those who responded to Durbin’s announcement.

“Dick Durbin is, by far, the smartest and most effective Democrat senator,” Davis said on X. “He is a political savage, who comes across as Midwest reasonable. Big loss for Senate Democrats, with unhinged partisan Sheldon Whitehouse taking over Senate Judiciary Democrats.”

Former President Barack Obama, who served as a U.S. senator from Illinois alongside Durbin before winning the White House, lauded his former colleague.

“As an Illinois voter, I couldn’t be prouder that our senator for the last 28 years has been one of the finest in the country. Dick Durbin has always fought the good fight on behalf of working families, and his integrity shines through in everything he does,” Obama said on X.

“It’s also true that I would not have been a United States Senator – and certainly would not have been President – had it not been for Dick’s support,” Obama added. “He has been a great and loyal friend, and Michelle and I wish him and Loretta all the best in their next chapter.”

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Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), who rose up the ranks to become the second-ranked Democrat in the Senate during his more than four decades in Congress, announced on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in 2026.

His move sets the stage for a potentially fierce primary fight among Democrats in a deep-blue state.

“The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy,” Durbin said in a video. “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.”

Illinois voters elected Durbin to the House in 1982 and the Senate in 1996. Durbin served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and helped to confirm 235 judges, including Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. He became the second-ranking Democrat whip in 2005.

Durbin, 80, is the fourth Democrat in the upper chamber to rule out a re-election campaign in 2026. The others are Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Tina Smith (D-MN).

A number of Democrats are expected to announce campaigns for Durbin’s seat, including Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL).

The GOP could also compete, but it will likely be a tough race for any Republican who decides to run. When Durbin secured his fifth term in 2020, he defeated Republican candidate Mark Curran by more than 15 percentage points.

Currently, Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the Senate. There are also 45 Democrats and two independents who caucus with them.

Durbin’s office said he is the longest-serving whip for either party. His impending retirement also paves the way to a future contest for the role, which is used to rally members and secure votes.

Durbin’s career has not been without controversy, as reported by The Daily Wire.

One story covered how Durbin apologized to Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), the sole black Republican in the Senate, for referring to his police reform legislation as a “token” solution. Another focused on Durbin accusing Republican governors of violating “every basic standard of decency” by transporting migrants to sanctuary cities.

Mike Davis, who helped oversee the vetting of judicial appointments as a GOP Senate staffer and now runs the conservative Article III Project, was among those who responded to Durbin’s announcement.

“Dick Durbin is, by far, the smartest and most effective Democrat senator,” Davis said on X. “He is a political savage, who comes across as Midwest reasonable. Big loss for Senate Democrats, with unhinged partisan Sheldon Whitehouse taking over Senate Judiciary Democrats.”

Former President Barack Obama, who served as a U.S. senator from Illinois alongside Durbin before winning the White House, lauded his former colleague.

“As an Illinois voter, I couldn’t be prouder that our senator for the last 28 years has been one of the finest in the country. Dick Durbin has always fought the good fight on behalf of working families, and his integrity shines through in everything he does,” Obama said on X.

“It’s also true that I would not have been a United States Senator – and certainly would not have been President – had it not been for Dick’s support,” Obama added. “He has been a great and loyal friend, and Michelle and I wish him and Loretta all the best in their next chapter.”

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