Dick Durbin, Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, Won’t Seek Reelection in 2026/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Senator Dick Durbin announced he won’t seek a sixth term in 2026. The longtime Illinois Democrat is the Senate’s second-ranking leader. His retirement opens a key seat as Democrats aim to retake the Senate.
Dick Durbin Won’t Seek 2026 Reelection — Quick Looks
- Retirement Announcement: Sen. Dick Durbin will step down after his fifth term
- Senate Leadership Role: He serves as the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat and Judiciary Chair
- Political Legacy: Known for leadership on DACA, crack sentencing reform, and anti-smoking laws
- Illinois Impact: Creates a high-profile Senate race in a strongly Democratic state
- Party Stakes: Adds pressure to Democrats already fighting for a Senate majority
- Next Moves: Opens the door to multiple contenders in Illinois from both parties
Dick Durbin to Retire in 2026, Ending Decades-Long Senate Career
Deep Looks
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (April 23, 2025) — Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second-highest-ranking Democrat in the U.S. Senate and a defining voice on issues ranging from immigration to criminal justice, announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection in 2026. His retirement after five Senate terms will end a political career spanning over 40 years.
“It’s been the honor of my life to serve the people of Illinois,” Durbin said in a statement. “But the time has come to pass the torch.”
Durbin’s decision, while long speculated, intensifies pressure on Senate Democrats as they face a steep climb to regain the majority. Illinois remains solidly blue — the GOP has only won a six-year Senate term there twice since 1984 — but the vacancy will still spark a competitive race to replace the 80-year-old incumbent.
A Political Legacy of Liberal Reform
Durbin, first elected to the U.S. House in 1982 and to the Senate in 1996, built a reputation as a policy-focused liberal, consistently among the most progressive voices in the chamber. According to GovTrack’s 2024 rankings, he was the Senate’s 14th most liberal member — just behind fellow Illinoisan Sen. Tammy Duckworth.
He has held the position of Democratic whip since 2005, earning trust across party lines for his ability to balance policy passion with political pragmatism.
Among his legislative milestones:
- Tobacco Reform: Durbin led the movement to ban smoking on domestic flights in the 1980s after watching his father die of lung cancer.
- DREAM Act: In 2001, he introduced the legislation offering a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. While the bill never passed, it laid the groundwork for DACA, the Obama-era program that has protected more than 800,000 “Dreamers.”
- Criminal Justice: He was central to reforming cocaine sentencing laws and helped author the bipartisan First Step Act, signed by President Trump in 2018, which overhauled parts of the federal prison system.
From Small-Town Roots to Senate Powerhouse
Born in East St. Louis in 1944, Richard Durbin got his start in public service as an intern for Illinois Sen. Paul Douglas. After earning his law degree from Georgetown, he served as counsel for Lt. Gov. Paul Simon — a mentor whom he would later succeed in the Senate.
Durbin lost a bid for lieutenant governor in 1978 but returned to politics in 1982 when he flipped a U.S. House seat long held by Republican Paul Findley. That campaign was heavily supported by pro-Israel groups and took place during a recession that also helped fuel his victory.
In the Senate, Durbin was an early supporter of Barack Obama, helping to nurture the then-junior senator’s path to the presidency. In 2000, Durbin was briefly vetted as a potential running mate for Al Gore.
Opening the Door to New Leadership
Durbin’s retirement will unleash a wave of activity in Illinois political circles. While no successor has yet declared, both Democrats and Republicans are expected to launch bids in the coming months.
Still, in a state where Democrats hold all statewide offices and have a firm grip on the legislature, any Republican hopeful will face steep odds.
For now, Durbin plans to serve out the remainder of his term, which runs through January 2027, and continue to advance priorities on the Judiciary, Appropriations, and Agriculture committees.
“Illinoisans have given me their trust, and I’ve tried to honor it every day in office,” Durbin said. “Now it’s time for a new voice to rise.”
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