WASHINGTON – Sen. Dick Durbin (D-In poor health.), a veteran senator and the second-highest-ranked Democrat within the Senate, introduced Wednesday that he received’t search reelection, kicking off what is anticipated to be a crowded main to interchange him.
“The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy. I truly love the job of being a United States Senator,” Durbin mentioned on social media. “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, 80, has been in public workplace for greater than 4 many years. He was elected to the Senate in 1997 after serving within the Home for 14 years. His decades-long tenure has made him the longest-serving Senate get together whip in U.S. historical past. He joins Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Gary Peters of Michigan, and Tina Smith of Minnesota as Democrats who’re retiring and making approach for a youthful era within the higher chamber.
Durbin’s departure will set off a mad scramble not only for his reliably blue Senate seat, however for his colleagues keen to maneuver up in Senate management and on committees.
Potential candidates to interchange Durbin within the Senate have been jockeying for his seat effectively earlier than his Wednesday announcement, together with Democratic Reps. Lauren Underwood, Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi, in addition to Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. Illinois state Sen. Robert Peters and Christopher Swann, a nonprofit chief in Chicago, are different Democrats who’ve reportedly signaled curiosity in operating for his Senate seat.
A latest ballot from 314 Motion Fund discovered that Underwood, who has been organizing and elevating cash for her marketing campaign, has the best title recognition of the candidates within the subject. Krishnamoorthi, who has already raised an eye-popping $19 million, additionally polled effectively.
A few of Durbin’s Senate colleagues had their press statements prepared for his announcement, together with these with ambitions to fill his posts. HuffPost initially discovered of Durbin’s retirement information from Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who issued an announcement praising the Illinois Democrat’s many years of service earlier than most information shops had even reported on his retirement. Schatz, 52, is a probable contender to fill Durbin’s function as Democratic whip in management.
Schatz mentioned Durbin has been “a pillar of leadership, integrity, and unwavering dedication to the people of his home state of Illinois and the nation,” calling him a “titan of the Senate.”
“When you board a flight and can breathe clean, smoke-free air, you can thank Dick Durbin,” mentioned the Hawaii Democrat. “When we see breakthroughs in medical research at NIH that are helping save lives, you can thank Dick Durbin. The list goes on.”
In the meantime, 314 Motion Fund, which is targeted on electing Democrats with backgrounds in science and medication, wasted no time endorsing Underwood to interchange Durbin. Underwood is a registered nurse and public well being professional.
“Senator Durbin has been an indisputable champion for Illinois, delivering time and time again for the state – while no one can fill his shoes, voters are ready for the next generation of bold leadership,” Erik Polyak, managing director of 314 Motion, mentioned in an announcement. “It’s clear that voters trust Representative Underwood to continue his legacy. Her voice and STEM expertise is crucial to make real, lasting change on the issues facing Americans every day.”
Bloomberg by way of Getty Photos
Durbin’s legacy will largely be outlined by his function as the highest Democrat on the highly effective Senate Judiciary Committee. Whereas chairing the panel from 2021 to 2025, he helped steer an enormous variety of President Joe Biden’s lifetime federal judges to affirmation: 235 judges, 5 greater than Donald Trump secured in his first time period. The affirmation of Supreme Courtroom Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was simply the proudest second for Durbin and Biden.
He’s additionally led the cost on efforts that banned smoking on airplanes, expanded well being analysis and added protections for DREAMERs, or individuals who have been dropped at the U.S. as youngsters by mother and father who have been undocumented immigrants.
Durbin’s probably successor on the Senate Judiciary Committee is Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). The 69-year-old Democrat led a failed effort in 2020 to forestall Durbin from having the ability to concurrently function the get together’s whip and because the rating member on this committee.
Durbin will serve out the remainder of his present time period by means of January 2027.
CORRECTION: This put up has been amended to accurately state when Durbin’s time period in workplace will finish.
