Most of the headlines I’m seeing Wednesday refer to Illinois Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin’s service as “longtime.” Try, “almost forever.” He was first elected to the House in 1982, then moved on to getting elected as a senator in 1996. Combined, he’s been roaming the halls of the Capitol for over 44 years.

But that service is thankfully coming to an end, as even he realizes it’s time to go:

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.

So, I am announcing today that I will not be seeking re-election at the end of my term. pic.twitter.com/eiBTPjToFT

— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) April 23, 2025

The battle for his seat begins immediately:

The decision from Durbin, who is the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate and the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, will open up a leadership position in the chamber and is expected to set off a competitive primary for his seat in solidly blue Illinois.

"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 statement Wednesday and video posted to social media. "So, I am announcing today that I will not be seeking re-election at the end of my term."

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Some are happy to see him go:

Dick Durbin has been a toxic presence in the Senate, representing the failed politics and policies of a failing state on a national level. On foreign policy, he built his political career as a pro-Israel moderate, and ended it as an anti-Israel fellow-traveler with antisemites.

— Joel Pollak (@joelpollak) April 23, 2025

The race to replace him will likely include the state’s lieutenant governor:

With Durbin’s fellow Illinois Democrat senator, Tammy Duckworth, being just 56, a cohort of other Illinois Democrats are angling to seek Durbin’s seat if he vacates it, as another opportunity might not come for decades.

The potential Democrat would-be senators include Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who has reportedly sought Gov. JB Pritzker’s endorsement for the seat. There’s also Rep. Lauren Underwood, who has been sending out fundraising emails signaling interest in the seat, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who has raised millions amid the Durbin retirement speculation.

It’s not just his seat that will be up for grabs, though—it will also be his powerful party role:

Another question arises: Who would assume Durbin’s coveted position as Senate minority whip? 

Although top Senate Democrats have not publicly angled for that high-ranking position in leadership, potential successors might include Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey or Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

"Senate Minority Whip Booker." Oh boy. That would be tough to endure.

With the departure of Joe Biden, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) (retiring), and now Durbin, we are seeing a new generation come to the fore. The real question, though, is when can we finally be rid of 85-year-old CA Rep. Nancy Pelosi?

Editor's Note: The Democrat Party has never been less popular as voters reject its globalist agenda.

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