Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, said Wednesday that he will not seek reelection next year, capping a career of more than four decades in Congress. No formal decision has been made regarding Durbin’s successor as Democratic Party whip.
“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,” he said in a video posted on the social media platform X.
Durbin advocated for immigration reform, the Affordable Care Act, a ban on indoor smoking
Durbin was first elected to Congress in 1982 and has served in the Senate since January 3, 1997. During his tenure as Senate Democratic whip, Durbin was an advocate of immigration reform and a defender of "dreamers." He helped pass the Affordable Care Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, COVID-19 relief and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Durbin is also recognized for launching the movement to ban indoor smoking, which can be traced backed to his 53-year-old father dying of lung cancer when he was 14.
“People started asking, ‘If secondhand smoke wasn’t safe on airplanes, why is it safe in public buildings, schools, hospitals, or restaurants?’ The answer is simple: It’s not,” Durbin said on the 25th anniversary of the law.
Durbin's time on the Senate Judiciary Committee
Durbin served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he is currently the ranking member. During his tenure as chairman, he helped President Joe Biden secure the confirmation of 235 appointments to the federal judiciary, including the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.
Durbin's background and jobs before Congress
Born in 1944 in East St. Louis, Illinois, to immigrant parents, Durbin graduated from the undergraduate program in 1966 and law school at Georgetown University in Washington in 1969, and interned for former Sen. Paul Douglas (D-Ill.). He held multiple roles in Illinois politics, including a term as counsel to former Lt. Gov. Paul Simon.
Durbin as a figure in Illinois politics and the national stage
“As an Illinois voter, I couldn’t be prouder that our senator for the last 28 years has been one of the finest in the country," former President Barack Obama, who served alongside Durbin in the Senate, wrote on X. “Dick Durbin has always fought the good fight on behalf of working families, and his integrity shines through in everything he does. It’s also true that I would not have been a United States Senator – and certainly would not have been President – had it not been for Dick’s support.”
Those who could run for Durbin’s seat include former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.). Upon Durbin’s retirement, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) will be the senior senator from Illinois.
Durbin's time in public office
January 1983 – January 1997, U.S. House of Representatives.
January. 1997 – Present, U.S. Senate
Related Content
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Rise on Good VolatilityInvestors, traders and speculators continue to process the "known unknown" of global tariff-and-trade war negotiations.
-
Trader Joe’s Expansion 2025: Full List of New Store LocationsTrader Joe’s is opening 21 new stores in 2025 across 13 states and Washington, D.C. See if a location is coming to your city and what makes this beloved grocer stand out.
-
What Happens To Mortgage and Savings Rates If Trump Fires Jerome Powell?President Donald Trump expressed his desire to remove Fed Chair Jerome Powell. If the president is successful, how would it impact your savings accounts?
-
How Much Will Car Prices Go Up With Tariffs?Tariffs could drive car prices up even higher, for new and used cars, as well as for American brands.
-
Ray Dalio Is Ringing Alarm Bells About 'Something Worse Than a Recession'Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio has been sounding off about his concerns for the global economy as a result of tariffs and certain policies, as well as other factors.
-
How Trump’s Tariffs Could Impact Your Grocery BillTariffs at the checkout: Preparing for higher grocery bills and how to manage them.
-
Best Investments to Sidestep Trump's Trade WarThese ETFs are well-designed to weather rising U.S. protectionism and retaliatory tariffs.
-
March Federal Reserve Meeting: Updates and CommentaryThe March Fed meeting is finally here, with Wall Street anxious to see what Jerome Powell & Co. have to say on inflation and interest rates.
-
Election Poll Surprise Driven In Part by 65+ Female VotersJ. Ann Selzer pointed to voters aged 65+, and female voters in particular, as an explanation for the surprising presidential election poll results.
-
Are Election Jitters Shaking Up Your Investing Strategy?Many investors are retreating to safer investments until after the election, but doing so could result in missed opportunities. Here's what to do instead.
