Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, announced his retirement after 44 years in Congress on Wednesday.
Durbin, 80, was up for reelection in 2026 and was widely expected to not seek a sixth term in the Senate. He is the fourth Senate Democrat to announce their retirement in 2025.
Durbin is the longest-serving Senate whip in American history, occupying the No. 2 position for Senate Democrats for two decades.
He explained his decision to not seek reelection as knowing it was time to pass the torch.
“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,” Durbin told the New York Times. “There comes a point where you have to face reality that this is the time to leave for me.”
Durbin’s retirement is likely to set off a contested Democratic primary to succeed him in the Senate.
All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
Success! Thank you for donating. Please share BPR content to help combat the lies.
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
![NYC Tourist Helicopter Falls into Hudson River, Siemens Executive and Family Among Those Killed [WATCH]](https://www.right2024.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/NYC-Tourist-Helicopter-Falls-into-Hudson-River-Siemens-Executive-and-350x250.jpg)
![Green Day’s Cringe Trump Diss Ends in Fire and Evacuation [WATCH]](https://www.right2024.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Green-Days-Cringe-Trump-Diss-Ends-in-Fire-and-Evacuation-350x250.jpg)
![Red Sox Fan Makes the ‘Catch of the Day’ with Unconventional ‘Glove’ [WATCH]](https://www.right2024.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Red-Sox-Fan-Makes-the-‘Catch-of-the-Day-with-350x250.jpg)
