A stalwart of the liberal agenda and a key figure in the Senate for decades, Democrat Senator Dick Durbin called it quits after a 44-year congressional career.
Durbin, the Senate’s second-ranking Democrat behind Chuck Schumer, championed illegal immigration, judicial activism, and anti-gun policies throughout his tenure.
His departure opens a new battleground in the fight for America’s constitutional future.
The 80-year-old Senator announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, marking the end of his four-decade career in Congress.
As a career politician first elected to the House in 1982 before moving to the Senate in 1997, Durbin has been a fixture in Washington’s liberal establishment for a generation.
His exit represents the fifth senator over age 65 to announce retirement, highlighting a generational shift in the Senate that conservatives hope will bring fresh perspectives to Washington.
Durbin has served as the No. 2 Senate Democrat since 2005, wielding significant influence in driving left-wing policy initiatives and defending the administrative state.
BREAKING: Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, announces he is not running for reelection in 2026. https://t.co/NHbgGfi7bH
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 23, 2025
As Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, Durbin used his power to fast-track the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson while opposing the confirmation of constitutionalist Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
His committee leadership gave him substantial control over judicial appointments that will impact Americans’ constitutional rights for decades.
“The decision of whether to run for reelection has not been easy. 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 said.
Throughout his career, Durbin aggressively pushed for the DREAM Act and was instrumental in creating DACA, programs that critics argue incentivized illegal immigration and undermined border security.
He also co-sponsored the First Step Act, a criminal justice reform law signed by President Trump in 2018 – a rare moment when Durbin supported a Trump administration initiative.
While the Senator’s seat is considered safe for Democrats, his retirement triggers what will likely be a competitive primary.
Potential candidates include Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, Representative Lauren Underwood, and Representative Robin Kelly.
All of them would continue Durbin’s progressive policy agenda in a state that has suffered under single-party Democrat rule for decades.
“I have to be honest about this. There are good people in the wings, good people on the bench ready to serve, and they can fight this fight just as effectively as I can,” the Democrat Senator added.
Moreover, he expressed mixed feelings about stepping down, particularly in the context of opposing President Trump, whom he views as a threat to what Democrats call “democracy,” often code for their progressive policy agenda.
The race for Durbin’s powerful No. 2 position is now seen as a critical indicator of future Democrat leadership and their ability to defend against the America First movement.
As Obama’s political mentor, Durbin helped propel one of America’s most divisive presidents to power.
“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 admitted.
As Illinois and the nation await the next chapter, many wonder about the implications of his retirement on the balance of power.
They also wonder whether the upcoming election might usher in another wave of liberal policies that shift America further away from its foundational values.
