Senior Democrat Dick Durbin says he won’t seek reelection to US Senate

WASHINGTON — US Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois says he will not seek reelection in 2026, ending his more than four-decade career representing Illinois and accelerating a generational shift in Senate Democratic leadership where he has long held the No. 2 position.

Durbin, 80, is in his fifth Senate term and was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 1982. His decision not to run will set off a scramble for his Senate seat in solidly Democratic Illinois and for his leadership position in Washington, as many in the party agitate for a new and more aggressive approach to confronting Republican President Donald Trump in his second term.

“The decision of whether to run has not been easy,” Durbin says in a video posted to X. “I truly love the job of being a United States senator. But in my heart I know it’s time to pass the torch.”

When first elected to Congress in 1982, a redrawn district, an economic recession and funding from pro-Israel forces were factors in Durbin’s victory over Paul Findley, an 11-term Republican congressman who was best known for his criticism of American policy toward Israel and support of Palestinians. Durbin himself has become increasingly critical of Israel, voting in favor of failed motions to block weapons sales to Israel amid the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza.