SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Diya TV) — Sen. Dick Durbin, the second-ranking Senate Democrat and Illinois’ senior senator, announced Wednesday he will not seek re-election in 2026, closing the chapter on a career in Congress that has spanned more than four decades.
“The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy,” Durbin said in a video posted to social media. “I truly love the job of being a United States Senator. But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch.”
Durbin, 80, was first elected to the Senate in 1996 after serving 14 years in the U.S. House. A prominent and respected figure in the Democratic Party, he currently serves as Senate Democratic Whip and ranking member of the powerful Judiciary Committee. He has also played key roles on the Appropriations and Agriculture Committees.
Durbin’s leadership has helped shape major national policies over the years. He was a champion of the Dream Act, introduced in 2001 with the late Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), which aimed to provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. Though the bill never passed, it laid the groundwork for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, enacted by President Barack Obama in 2012.
As chair of the Judiciary Committee from 2021 to 2024, Durbin helped steer 235 federal judges, including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, through the confirmation process, cementing a lasting legacy on the American judiciary.
He also pushed forward landmark legislation like the ban on smoking on airplanes and worked across the aisle on criminal justice reform, including the First Step Act, a bipartisan law signed by President Donald Trump in 2018 aimed at easing mandatory minimum sentences and supporting prisoner rehabilitation.
Durbin expressed deep appreciation to Illinois voters for giving him “the honor of a lifetime,” noting in his video message, “The threats to our democracy and our way of life are very real, and I can assure you I’ll do everything in my power to fight for Illinois and the future of our country every day of my remaining time in the Senate.”
His retirement sets the stage for what’s expected to be a competitive Democratic primary in a state that remains reliably blue. A recent poll from the progressive group 314 Action tested potential candidates, including U.S. Reps. Lauren Underwood, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Robin Kelly, as well as Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. The same group has previously backed Underwood, who has a background in public health.
Krishnamoorthi has reportedly been preparing for a potential Senate run, amassing over $19 million in campaign funds, significantly more than any of the other potential contenders.
Durbin’s departure also raises questions about the future of Illinois’ political leadership, as Gov. JB Pritzker has yet to confirm whether he’ll seek re-election in 2026. Speculation continues to swirl around Pritzker’s potential ambitions for a 2028 presidential bid.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) praised Durbin’s contributions: “The Senate—and the country—are better because of his service.”
Other colleagues also shared heartfelt tributes. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) called Durbin “a pillar of leadership, integrity, and unwavering dedication.” Lt. Gov. Stratton echoed those sentiments, saying, “Illinois is stronger because of him and the work he’s championed will carry on.”
Durbin lives in Springfield with his wife, Loretta. The couple has three children: Paul, Jennifer, and Christine, who passed away in 2008 due to a congenital heart condition.
As Durbin prepares to leave office, he says his commitment to Illinois and the nation remains steadfast. “I’ll keep working, fighting, and serving until my last day in the Senate.”
