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.

Dick Durbin's (D-Ill.) announcement Wednesday that he is retiring rather than running for reelection in 2026 is likely to set off a fierce Democratic primary for his seat. Why it matters: Durbin himself predicts that "at least a dozen" candidates will jump into the race,