Longtime U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, has announced he will not seek reelection in 2026 after 44 years in Congress. His retirement opens up a rare and highly coveted Senate seat in the solidly Democratic state of Illinois, setting the stage for a competitive primary among prominent Democrats. Durbin's departure will also prompt a shakeup in Senate Democratic leadership, as he currently holds a top leadership position. The announcement is expected to attract several big-name contenders eager to secure the seat. This marks a significant moment of transition for both Illinois politics and the Democratic Party's leadership in the Senate.
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Durbin, No. 2 Senate Democrat, to Retire After 44 Years in Congress
Senator Richard J. Durbin’s departure will set off a primary for a rare open Senate seat in Illinois and open a top leadership slot. He said it was time to “face reality” and make way for someone new.
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Durbin Senate retirement opens door for big-name Democrats in solid blue Illinois
https://washingtonexaminer.com
Dick Durbin (D-IL) paved the way for what is sure to be a crowded and competitive primary in Illinois after he announced Wednesday that he would not seek reelection to the Senate in 2026. Durbin is the fifth sitting senator to announce a retirement ...
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80-Year-Old Dem to Retire After Viral Primary Challenger Announced
The veteran Democrat’s exit announcement will invite other Democrats to try to grab her seat. State Senator Laura Fine and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss are both expected to announce bids for Illinois’s ninth congressional district after Schakowsky officially makes her plans public.
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