Durbin Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2026
- Sangamon County News
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 11 minutes ago
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, the longest-serving, popularly elected Senator in Illinois history and current Senate Democratic Whip, announced in a video message released today that he will not seek re-election when his term ends in 2026.
“The decision of whether to run for re-election 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. So, I am announcing today that I will not be seeking re-election at the end of my term,” Durbin said.
Durbin expressed gratitude to the people of Illinois, who have elected him to represent them in Congress for over four decades.
“The people of Illinois have honored me with this responsibility longer than anyone elected to the Senate in our state’s history. I am truly grateful,” he said. “Right now, the challenges facing our country are historic and unprecedented. The threats to our democracy and way of life are very real, and I can assure you that I will do everything in my power to fight for Illinois and the future of our country every day of my remaining time in the Senate.”
Durbin concluded his announcement with a note of appreciation: “To the Illinoisans who gave this kid from East St. Louis a chance to serve: Thank you for supporting me—through words and actions—over the years. Now that I have this announcement behind me, I need to get back to work.”
Durbin, who currently serves as the Senate Democratic Whip—the second-highest ranking Democrat in the Senate—has held the leadership position since 2005, making him the longest-serving Whip in Senate history for either party.
First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 to represent the Springfield-based 20th congressional district, Durbin moved to the Senate in 1996, succeeding his friend and mentor, U.S. Senator Paul Simon. He was subsequently re-elected in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020.
As Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee during the 117th and 118th Congresses, Durbin presided over the confirmation of 235 judges, including Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. His tenure included extensive legislative and oversight work, with the committee holding 145 full committee hearings and reporting 56 bills.
Durbin’s legislative legacy spans numerous policy areas:
Public Health: Authored the legislation banning smoking on airplanes and led efforts to curb youth tobacco use.
Immigration: Introduced the Dream Act in 2001 and played a key role in establishing the DACA program under President Obama.
Criminal Justice: Championed the Fair Sentencing Act and the bipartisan First Step Act, reducing sentencing disparities and enabling the release of thousands of individuals.
Infrastructure: Secured significant funding for Illinois roads, rail, and aviation, including $548.1 million in earmarked projects from FY22 to FY24.
Health Care: Worked to address rural health care shortages and expand access through programs like the SIREN Act and increased National Health Service Corps funding.
Research Funding: Advocated for sustained federal investment in medical and scientific research, resulting in a 60% NIH funding increase over the past decade.
Foreign Affairs: Supported NATO expansion and bolstered Baltic security through funding and legislation.
Education: Helped lower student loan interest rates and pushed for textbook cost savings through the Open Textbooks Pilot.
Gun Violence Prevention: Focused on trauma-informed interventions, including the Chicago HEAL Initiative and school-based support.
Consumer Protection: Played a pivotal role in creating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and limiting debit card swipe fees.
Environment: Fought to protect the Great Lakes and reduce toxic emissions and PFAS contamination.
Veterans and Defense: Expanded caregiver support, strengthened Illinois military installations, and backed defense innovation.
Born in East St. Louis to William and Ona Durbin, Senator Durbin is married to Loretta Schaefer Durbin. They have three children—Christine, Paul, and Jennifer—and six grandchildren.
