Dick Durbin, No. 2 Senate Democrat, to Retire at End of Term 

WASHINGTON — Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the second-ranking Democrat in the chamber, announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection next year, saying in a social media post “it’s time to pass the torch.”

Durbin, who is now 80, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1982 as part of a midterm backlash against then-President Ronald Reagan.

Durbin’s campaign emphasized the unemployment and hard financial times farmers in Illinois’ 20th Congressional District were experiencing at the time, arguing his election would send “a message to Washington and to President Reagan that our economic policies are not working.”

In 1996, Durbin defeated Pat Quinn to become the Democratic nominee to replace the retiring Sen. Paul Simon, one of his longtime friends. 

In the weeks before election day, Durbin’s race against Republican State Rep. Al Salvi appeared to be competitive, but in the end, Bill Clinton’s coattail — and his 18-point margin in Illinois — helped Durbin win decisively.

Since then, he has won all of his races for reelection — in 2002, 2008, 2014 and 2020 — by at least 10 points.

“The people of Illinois have honored me with this responsibility longer than anyone elected to the Senate in our state’s history, and I am truly grateful,” Durbin said, reflecting on that long string of victories on Wednesday.

“To the Illinoisans who gave the kid from East St. Louis a chance to serve: Thank you for supporting me — through words and actions — over the years,” he said.

As a mainstay on the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which he’s been a member for over two decades, Durbin has been a leading voice on immigration and criminal justice issues.

“Right now, the challenges facing our country are historic and unprecedented,” he said, acknowledging these issues are once again front and center in the great national debate.

“The threats to our democracy and way of life are 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,” he said.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker praised Durbin on Wednesday as a “consistent champion and reliable leader for our working families, civil rights, health care, climate and beyond.”

“From first introducing the DREAM Act, to leading the historic confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, to bringing in major federal infrastructure projects to our state, Sen. Durbin has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of everyday Illinoisans,” Pritzker said.

“His legacy is defined not just by the legislation he passed, but by the undeniable positive impact his character and moral leadership has had on the nation,” the governor added.

The one thing Pritzker didn’t indicate is whether he might consider a run for the seat, which is considered highly likely to stay in Democratic hands.

If he doesn’t, the field in a likely primary could include Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, and Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Lauren Underwood and Sean Casten.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, who once shared a townhouse in Washington with Durbin early in their respective congressional careers, described his friend and former roommate as “more than a colleague.”

“He’s been a trusted partner, [and] one of the most respected voices in the Senate for decades,” Schumer said. 

“His deep commitment to justice, his tireless advocacy for Americans in need, and his wisdom in leadership have left an indelible mark on this institution, the United States, and his beloved Illinois. The Senate — and the country — are better because of his service,” he added.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue