“In my mind, I know it’s time to hand over the torch,” the senator said in a statement.
Senate minority Whipdick Durbin (D-Ill.), the longest US senator in Illinois history, announced on April 23 that he would not be re-election next year, earning a more than 40-year career in Congress.
“The challenges facing our country are historical and unprecedented. The threats to democracy and our way of life are very realistic and I can guarantee you.
No formal decision has been made for Durbin’s successor as a Democrat whip.
Durbin was first elected to Congress in 1982 and replaced Rep. Paul Fundley (R-Ill.). He has been in the Senate since January 3, 1997. During his tenure as Senate Democrat Whip, Durbin helped pass the Affordable Care Act, the Economic Stimulus Package, Covid-19 Relief, Inflation Reduction Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act.
He is believed to have launched a campaign to ban indoor smoking. Durbin saw his 53-year-old father die of lung cancer at the age of 14, and won approval of a law in 1987 that prohibits smoking on short commercial flights that had expanded to almost all domestic flights two years later.
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“People began asking, ‘If the second smoke is not safe on planes, 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 also chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee and is currently a ranking member. During his tenure as chairman, he oversaw Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation with the Supreme Court, helping President Joe Biden break the record of most judicial appointments by the president.
Durbin was born in 1944 in East St. Louis, Illinois to immigrant parents. He graduated from the undergraduate programs and law schools at Georgetown University in Washington in 1966 and 1969, respectively, and interned for former Senator Paul Douglas (D-Ill).
He played multiple roles in Illinois politics. He became lieutenant governor in 1978.
Those who can run for Durbin’s seat include former Chicago mayor Rahm Emmanuel. He also served as the Japanese ambassador. Alexi Jeannoulias, Secretary of State of Illinois, Juliana Stratton; Rep. Darin Lahood (R-Ill.); Rep. Lauren Underwood (d-ill.); Rep. Raja Krishnamoulti (D-Ill.) is a ranking member of the House Selection Committee on Strategic Competition between the US and the Communist Party of China.
Durbin said Illinois is fortunate to have a “strong democratic bench ready to serve.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) will become an Illinois Senator upon Durbin’s retirement.
“Dick Durbin is, ever, ever, a giant in the United States Senate. He has devoted his life to creating our nation, and our nation.
