Illinois may have its first new senator in a decade after voters within the 2026 midterm elections choose somebody to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who has held the seat since 1997.
The election is expected to be hotly contested, with statewide officeholders and congressional leaders vying for the treasured publish. The winner of the Democratic main will seemingly have a bonus given how blue Illinois’ voters is, however a number of Republicans are also weighing a run. Durbin’s retirement means U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth will change into Illinois’ senior senator.
Right here’s a take a look at the upcoming contest and the way we obtained right here.
Why is a Senate seat accessible?
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin kisses his spouse, Loretta, on April 24, 2025, after formally asserting he received’t search reelection after his fifth time period expires subsequent yr. He did it from the identical spot in his Springfield yard the place he introduced his first Senate candidacy in 1995. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin thanks neighbors and mates on April 24, 2025, from the yard of his Springfield house, the place he’s lived since 1978, after formally asserting he received’t search reelection when his fifth time period expires. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, the rating Democrat, delivers opening remarks throughout a Senate Judiciary Committee nomination listening to on Feb. 12, 2025, on the Dirksen Senate Workplace Constructing in Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman, listens at left. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin rides the U.S. Capitol subway as he heads to a Senate Judiciary Committee listening to on Feb. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, from left, U.S. Rep. Sean Casten and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin discuss throughout a breakfast assembly with the American Federation of Authorities Staff group on Feb. 12, 2025, on the Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Rating member U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin enters a Senate Judiciary Committee nomination listening to on Feb. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin greets individuals contained in the Lyndon B. Johnson Room on the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 12, 2025, throughout a gathering with the Bloomington-Regular Financial Improvement Council in Washington. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin speaks contained in the Lyndon B. Johnson Room on the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 12, 2025, throughout a gathering with the Bloomington-Regular Financial Improvement Council in Washington, D.C. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin disembarks the Capitol subway as he heads to a Senate Judiciary Committee listening to on Feb. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, 2nd, greet individuals throughout a breakfast assembly with the American Federation of Authorities Staff group on Feb. 12, 2025, on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, the rating Democrat, delivers opening remarks throughout a Senate Judiciary Committee nomination listening to on Feb. 12, 2025, on the Dirksen Senate Workplace Constructing in Washington, D.C. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin finishes talking on Feb. 17, 2025, as Illinois officers gathered to oppose federal funds cuts to companies. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin talks to reporters outdoors a Senate Judiciary Committee nomination listening to on Feb. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky discuss on Feb. 17, 2025, as officers gathered in Chicago to speak about opposition to federal funds cuts to companies. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin speaks on Aug. 19, 2024, throughout the Democratic Nationwide Conference on the United Middle. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Then-U.S. Rep. and Senate hopeful Dick Durbin, left, seems with President Invoice Clinton at Homewood-Flossmoor Group Excessive College on Sept. 17, 1996, in Flossmoor. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Michael Bakalis, left, chooses Dick Durbin, a Springfield lawyer, as his working mate on the Bismarck Lodge on Nov. 30, 1977. (William Yates/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, proper, with Dick Durbin, from left, Chicago Mayor Michael Bilandic and Michael Bakalis on the Continental Plaza on Oct. 24, 1978. Kennedy was on the town to stump for Bakalis’ candidacy for governor. Durbin was the lieutenant governor candidate. (William Yates/Chicago Tribune)
Senate candidate Dick Durbin, heart, and U.S. Rep. Patricia Schroeder, proper, greet youngsters at Honey Tree Studying Middle as they’re surrounded by reporters on Feb. 26, 1996, in Chicago’s Loop. “We make actually unhealthy legal guidelines in Congress after we miss our naps,” Durbin advised the 5-year-olds. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Rep. Dick Durbin, proper, who was working for the U.S. Senate, laughs with Dick Devine, left, a candidate for Prepare dinner County state’s lawyer, at a seniors Halloween occasion on Oct. 30, 1996. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)
Dick Durbin celebrates his U.S. Senate election evening win on the Sheraton lodge on Nov. 5, 1996. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin works in his workplace in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 28, 1999, throughout an impeachment trial recess. (Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune)
Vice President Joe Biden, left, and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin discuss at an early-voting rally in Vernon Hills on Oct. 22, 2014. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin introduces President Barack Obama on Sept. 6, 2012, throughout the Democratic Nationwide Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin greets U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Aug. 1, 2023, at a ceremony to commemorate the institution of Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ at 4021 S. State St., the place Mamie Until-Mobley as soon as held an open-casket funeral for her brutally murdered son, sparking the Civil Rights Motion. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, left, recoils from a detailed encounter with a dragon on the annual Lunar New Yr parade in Chinatown on Feb. 2, 2014. Mayor Rahm Emanuel is at proper. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)
Arriving at his new workplace in Springfield, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, left, laughs with U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, heart, and fellow U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin on Jan. 10, 2005. (Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, left, and then-President Barack Obama stroll to Marine One at O’Hare Worldwide Airport on March 16, 2012. (Alex Garcia/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin celebrates his defeat of Republican challenger Jim Oberweis, to win his fourth time period, at his election-night occasion on the Westin River North in Chicago on Nov. 4, 2014. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and his spouse, Loretta, are seen on the Union League Membership of Chicago on Oct. 1, 2014, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Decide Joan Lefkow shakes fingers with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin after Lefkow testified about judicial safety on Could 18, 2005, earlier than the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C. Lefkow’s husband and mom have been killed in her house earlier that yr. (Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin speaks in entrance of a photograph of Aiden McCarthy throughout a Senate Judiciary Committee listening to specializing in mass shootings on July 20, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Aiden’s mother and father have been killed within the mass capturing on the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. (Mariam Zuhaib/AP)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Mayor Richard M. Daley snicker with U.S. Sen. Minority Chief Tom Daschle at a gathering on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2003. (Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama and his spouse, Michelle, and daughter Sasha, 3, attend a reception in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 4, 2005, for fellow Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, proper. (Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune)
Then-Supreme Courtroom nominee Samuel Alito meets with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, the minority whip, on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 2, 2005. (Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Senate candidate Dick Durbin, proper, is interviewed on Spanish-language radio station WIND whereas state Sen. Jesús “Chuy” García interprets as Durbin takes calls from listeners on Oct. 30, 1996. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, from proper, seems on Sept. 29, 1996, with Senate candidate Rep. Dick Durbin, U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and comic Al Franken at a fundraising picnic at Simon’s house in Makanda. (Ken Seeber/Southern Illinoisan)
U.S. Rep. Dick Durbin campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat close to the LaSalle Road prepare station in Chicago on Oct. 30, 1996. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin acknowledges U.S. Sen. Barack Obama throughout their espresso with constituents occasion on Capitol Hill on Jan. 27, 2005. (Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune)
In his management position, Dick Durbin meets with Democratic Senate colleagues Debbie Stabenow, from left, Jack Reed and Tom Carper in his workplace on April 28, 2005. (Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin holds a field of Magnetix toys throughout hearings with U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, proper, on the Dirksen Federal Constructing in Chicago, June 18, 2007. Responding to a Tribune collection, Durbin and Rush known as for an investigative listening to on the U.S. Shopper Product Security Fee’s sluggish response to warnings a few harmful toy that later killed a baby. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin holds a tiny magnet from a toy on Sept. 12, 2007, throughout a Senate Appropriations Committee Monetary Companies and Normal Authorities Subcommittee listening to on Capitol Hill on the Shopper Produce Security Fee and toy security requirements. (Karen Bleier/Getty-AFP)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin listens to Cierra Sensible, 6, speak about meals she will get from the Summer season Meals Service Program on the Jane Addams Middle. Durbin was on the heart for a tour on July 2, 2003. (David Klobucar/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, left, and U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., proper, hear on Jan. 9, 2017, as President Donald Trump speaks with lawmakers on immigration coverage within the Cupboard Room of the White Home. (Evan Vucci/AP)
Along with his Capitol Hill safety element behind him, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin heads to his whip workplace from the Senate ground on the U.S. Capitol on April 27, 2005. (Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin meets with the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board on Aug. 29, 2007. (Charles Osgood/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago historian and educator Timuel Black Jr., heart, laughs with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, left, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Jan. 18, 2013, earlier than the presentation of an award to Black on the twenty seventh annual Interfaith Breakfast honoring the lifetime of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
Roommates U.S. Rep. William Delahunt, from left, Sen. Dick Durbin, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and U.S. Rep. George Miller eat Chinese language meals on Jan. 8, 2007, within the kitchen of the Capitol Hill house they share when they don’t seem to be of their house states. (Doug Mills/The New York Instances)
Illinois U.S. Senate appointee Roland Burris, heart, meets with Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois, left, and Majority Chief Harry Reid on Capitol Hill on Jan. 7, 2009. (Alex Wong/Getty)
First woman Michelle Obama talks with Marty Nesbitt, from left, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Training Secretary Arne Duncan on Oct. 2, 2009, aboard Air Power One earlier than departure from Copenhagen, Denmark. (Pete Souza/White Home)
Individuals attempt to preserve rain from falling on U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, proper, earlier than he speaks on immigration on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., July 21, 2021. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, left, and then-state Sen. Jim Oberweis discuss earlier than their televised Senate race discussion board on the WTTW studio on Oct. 29, 2014. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, left, and Thomas Carper, proper, Amtrak’s chairman of the board, hearken to Metra Govt Director Alex Clifford converse at a Feb. 6, 2011, information convention on air air pollution in commuter railcars and platforms at Union Station. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
Democrats Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, from left, Legal professional Normal Lisa Madigan, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Prepare dinner County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel collect for a post-election unity breakfast on the Billy Goat Tavern on March 19, 2014. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, proper, and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama converse to Tuskegee Airmen from Illinois who participated in a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 29, 2007. (Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune)
Senate Democrat leaders Dick Durbin, from left, Charles Schumer and Harry Reid acknowledge supporters at a rally on the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 9, 2006, after Democrats have been declared the winners within the Virginia and Montana Senate races. Reid turned Senate majority chief and Durbin turned Senate majority whip. (Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune)
Senate Democrat leaders Charles Schumer, from left, Harry Reid and Dick Durbin head to a rally on the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 9, 2006, after Democrats have been declared the winners within the Virginia and Montana Senate races. (Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune)
Then-U.S. Senate candidate Dick Durbin and his spouse, Loretta, smile as they discuss with reporters after voting in Springfield on Nov. 5, 1996. Durbin was dealing with Al Salvi in a bid to exchange retiring U.S. Sen. Paul Simon. (Seth Perlman/AP)
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U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin kisses his spouse, Loretta, on April 24, 2025, after formally asserting he received’t search reelection after his fifth time period expires subsequent yr. He did it from the identical spot in his Springfield yard the place he introduced his first Senate candidacy in 1995. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Durbin, whose tenure as one in every of Illinois’ longest-serving U.S. senators has additionally been a testomony to the ability of seniority within the chamber, introduced April 23 that he would not seek a sixth term next year. That has began a scramble amongst potential successors vying for a politically coveted six-year time period.
“The choice of whether or not to run for reelection has not been simple. I actually love the job of being a United States senator. However in my coronary heart, I do know it’s time to cross the torch. So, I’m asserting at the moment that I can’t be in search of reelection on the finish of my time period,” Durbin said in a video.
With Durbin’s announcement setting off a potential domino effect among Illinois Democratic members of Congress and others angling to run for his Senate seat, he didn’t endorse a possible successor. As a substitute, Durbin mentioned the state was “lucky to have a robust Democratic bench able to serve. We’d like them now greater than ever.”
Who’re the most important candidates to throw their hats within the ring?
Juliana Stratton, Democrat
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton speaks throughout a rally outdoors Vivid Star Church Chicago on April 25, 2025, after receiving an endorsement for the U.S. Senate, from Gov. JB Pritzker. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton wasted little time formally launching her bid for the Senate seat as she turned the primary main Democrat to enter a race that’s anticipated to draw a big area of contenders.
Stratton introduced her plans in a video posted on social media at 5 a.m. April 24, lower than 24 hours after Durbin declared he wouldn’t run in 2026. The transfer was designed to place her as an early front-runner.
The choice by Stratton, a former state lawmaker, was not a shock. The state’s lieutenant governor underneath Gov. JB Pritzker since 2019, Stratton introduced in late January her curiosity in Durbin’s seat if he determined to not run, and she or he fashioned a federal political motion committee. As she awaited Durbin’s determination, Stratton additionally elevated her public visibility and moved ahead on political hiring.
In her two-minute video, Stratton portrayed herself as an atypical politician who would take a unique strategy in difficult President Donald Trump in Washington.
“My story isn’t the story of a typical senator. Then once more, typical isn’t what we’d like proper now,” Stratton says within the video. “Donald Trump and Elon Musk try to distract us, to create such a large number that we don’t even know the place to start out. However in Washington, they’re nonetheless doing the identical previous issues they’ve at all times completed. And that previous playbook isn’t working.”
Robin Kelly, Democrat
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, 2nd, speaks on Feb. 17, 2025, as Illinois officers gathered to oppose federal funds cuts to companies. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
South suburban U.S. Rep. Kelly’s announcement on Could 6 that she is vying for the Senate seat took place two weeks after Stratton launched her marketing campaign with Pritzker’s backing.
The race for the occasion’s nomination to exchange Durbin, who was an ally of Kelly’s, isn’t the primary time the seven-term Democratic congresswoman from Matteson has confronted off towards a candidate backed by the billionaire governor and his political equipment.
After working with Durbin in 2021 to defeat a Pritzker-backed candidate and change into the primary girl and first Black official to chair the Democratic Social gathering of Illinois, Kelly dropped her bid to retain the seat a yr later when allies of the governor rallied behind his handpicked state occasion chief, state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez of Cicero.
“You may say I’ve been an underdog my complete life,” Kelly mentioned in a 2½-minute video asserting her candidacy, referencing her upbringing serving to out in her “household’s mom-and-pop grocery retailer” earlier than placing herself by means of faculty at Bradley College in Peoria.
Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democrat
State Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi solutions questions from media, asking him about the opportunity of working for Sen. Dick Durbin’s Senate seat at Testa Produce within the New Metropolis neighborhood on April 24, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
“A president, ignoring the Structure, out for revenge, performing like a dictator, claiming he’s a king, surrounded by billionaire backers and MAGA extremists, threatening our rights, rigging the principles to line their pockets,” Krishnamoorthi, 51, of Schaumburg says in his almost 2½-minute video announcement. “Wrecking the financial system, they revenue and dealing individuals pay. It’s madness. Individuals wish to know, at this second on this time, the place is the ability to battle again?”
Along with his bid, Krishnamoorthi injects into the race a mixture of average coverage positions, corresponding to supporting small enterprise initiatives, together with progressivism as one in every of 19 vice chairs of the Congressional Equality Caucus, a bunch that promotes equality for all no matter sexual orientation or gender identification.
Who else is perhaps contemplating working?
Lauren Underwood, Democrat
U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood waves to the group on the Democratic Nationwide Conference on the United Middle in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
A four-term Democrat from Naperville, Underwood had $1.1 million in money available firstly of April, marketing campaign information present. When Durbin introduced he was not working for reelection, Underwood known as him a “beneficiant and considerate chief.”
Underwood represents a west suburban and exurban district that has supported her since she was first elected in 2018. But when she runs for Senate, that may imply the 14th Congressional District seat can be open, and Illinois Republicans would seemingly goal it to steal from Democrats.
Alexi Giannoulias, Democrat
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias speaks to Vice President of Communications of Roundy’s and Mariano’s Amanda Puck as he demonstrates the way to use a brand new kiosk that permits the general public to hunt driver’s license companies outdoors of Secretary of State workplaces at a Mariano’s grocery retailer in Greektown on Oct. 16, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)
The first-term Secretary of State, who was additionally beforehand the state treasurer, ran for Senate in 2010 however misplaced in a heated battle to Republican Mark Kirk. Whereas Giannoulias has expertise working statewide and may very well be a legit contender if he runs for Senate, he’s mentioned to be eyeing a possible run for Chicago mayor.
Rahm Emanuel, Democrat
Rahm Emanuel, former Chicago mayor and most lately the U.S. ambassador to Japan, addresses attendees at The Financial Membership of Chicago luncheon on the Fairmont Lodge on March 3, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
The previous Chicago mayor, congressman, ambassador to Japan and chief of employees to President Barack Obama has been looking for a reentry into Democratic politics. However he prefers an govt reasonably than legislative publish and is unlikely to hunt Durbin’s seat, these near him have mentioned.
Darin LaHood, Republican
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, sixteenth, questions Mayor Brandon Johnson earlier than the Home Oversight Committee on March 5, 2025, throughout a listening to on Capitol Hill about sanctuary cities and immigration coverage. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Whereas the eventual Democratic nominee is anticipated to have the benefit in a state the place occasion members have held all statewide elected workplaces since 2019, Republican U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood of Peoria has acknowledged he’s contemplating a Senate bid.
LaHood, the son of former longtime GOP congressman and Obama transportation secretary Ray LaHood, had almost $5.9 million in his federal marketing campaign fund as of April 1. One in every of solely three Home Republicans in Illinois’ 17-member congressional delegation, LaHood has served since 2015 in Congress and has been a robust supporter of Trump.
Others who’ve filed paperwork with the Federal Election Fee stating their curiosity in working for the Senate seat have been Democrats Christopher Alexander Swann, Stanley Leavell and Austin James Mink; Republicans John Goodman, Casimer Chlebek and Douglas Bennett; unbiased Anthony Smith and Joseph David Schilling.
Who’s out?
Michael Frerichs, Democrat
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs speaks throughout a information convention on Could 23, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
The three-term Democratic state treasurer, Frerichs said May 5 he wouldn’t search the 2026 Democratic nomination to succeed Durbin.
“There’s a mess in Washington proper now and we have to ship somebody who will battle for all of us in Illinois, however that particular person won’t be me,” Frerichs wrote in an electronic mail to supporters. “I’m not prepared to journey to Washington, D.C., 30-some weeks a yr and spend so many nights away from my youngsters. I don’t wish to miss their video games, their recitals, and even that many bedtimes.”
