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4mo ago

Rep. Jan Schakowsky to Retire After 14 Terms in Congress

The Illinois Democrat will formally announce her decision on May 5, opening a competitive race in the progressive stronghold of the 9th District.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky speaks at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 22. Photo: Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky listens while Mayor Brandon Johnson appears before the House Oversight Committee on March 5, 2025, during a hearing on Capitol Hill about sanctuary cities and immigration policy. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., another 80-year-old in Congress, has started informing allies she will not seek reelection, according to Politico. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, 80, announced Wednesday he was not seeking reelection in 2026. (AP file/Andrew Harnik)
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Overview

  • Jan Schakowsky, an 80-year-old progressive leader and chief deputy whip for House Democrats, has informed colleagues of her plans to retire after serving 14 terms since 1999.
  • Her formal announcement is scheduled for May 5 at her annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch in Chicago, coinciding with Sen. Dick Durbin’s earlier retirement disclosure.
  • Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old progressive challenger and social media influencer, is currently the only declared candidate for the 9th District seat.
  • Potential contenders for the safely Democratic district include State Sen. Laura Fine and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, both expected to enter the race after Schakowsky's announcement.
  • Schakowsky’s retirement reflects a broader generational shift within the Democratic Party, as more senior lawmakers prepare to step aside ahead of the 2026 midterms.