Overview

• Sen. Dick Durbin, 80, announced he will retire at the end of his current term in January 2027, ending 44 years in Congress, including 28 years in the Senate.
• Durbin's decision opens up a competitive Democratic primary in Illinois, with potential candidates including Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Lauren Underwood, Robin Kelly, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
• As Senate Democratic whip since 2005, Durbin's departure also triggers a leadership race for the chamber's second-highest Democratic position after the 2026 midterms.
• Durbin, a longtime chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, played a key role in confirming over 200 judges, including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
• His retirement reflects a broader generational shift in the Senate, with several senior Democrats, including Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Tina Smith, also stepping down ahead of 2026.