Senate Democratic Whip Richard J. Durbin of Illinois announced Wednesday that he would not seek reelection next year, opening up a safely blue seat that’s likely to spark a competitive Democratic primary.
“The decision of whether to run for reelection has not been easy. I truly love the job of being a United States senator,” Durbin, 80, said in a video posted to social media. “But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch.”
Durbin, who was first elected to the House in 1982 before joining the Senate in 1997, told The New York Times that the decision to retire was not an easy one, given his prime standing as the No. 2 Senate Democrat.
