After more than 28 years in the U.S. Senate, Dick Durbin announced on Wednesday that he will not seek reelection, opening up a competitive Democratic primary in a reliably blue state.
“In my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch,” Durbin said in a video posted to X. “I’ve given over half of my life to House and Senate congressional service. I’ve always tried to stand up to power on behalf of the people of Illinois and our country.”
Durbin is the fourth Democratic senator to announce their retirement this year, following Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, Gary Peters and Tina Smith. His retirement also opens up a spot in the Senate’s Democratic leadership, where he serves as whip.
The 80-year-old senator was first elected to the Senate in 1997 and is the longest-serving party whip in Senate history. He has been a strong advocate for pathways to citizenship for immigrants and regulation for the tobacco industry.
There’s no clear successor for Durbin’s throne, setting up a crowded primary in a Democratic stronghold. Five of the 17 members of the Illinois U.S. House delegation told NOTUS in January that they would consider running for Durbin’s seat.
In his announcement, Durbin said he was “fortunate to have a strong Democratic bench ready to serve.”
“We need them now more than ever,” he said.
Among the bench is Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who had $17 million cash on hand in late November, the second-most of any member of Congress. Sources told NOTUS that Krishnamoorthi has been preparing to run for Senate since winning his House seat in 2017.
Several state officials might also throw their hats in the ring. Lieutenant Gov. Juliana Stratton has already been polling her popularity, ramping up her event attendance with Durbin and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, and raising money through a PAC she launched in January.
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Helen Huiskes is a NOTUS reporter and an Allbritton Journalism Institute fellow.