More Durbin Speculation After Weak Fundraising Report
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin speaks at a hearing on Capitol Hill in 2023. (Photo: Associated Press)
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If speculation about Senator Dick Durbin’s political future was already buzzing, today it’s in a frenzy.
Federal campaign finance reports released yesterday show Durbin’s fundraising pace has slowed considerably, leading many Democrats to speculate the five-term Senator won’t be seeking a sixth term in 2026.
Durbin raised around $32,000 in the first quarter of the year and has around $1.6 million cash on hand. Comparatively, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who doesn’t face voters until 2028, raised around $83,000 last quarter and has a around $3 million in the bank.
“There’s no way he’s running,” one top Democrat official texted The Illinoize late Tuesday. “Those are the fundraising numbers of a guy who’s winding down, not winding up for another fight.”
Durbin, 80, has said continuously he would make a decision “soon” on his political future, and anecdotal betting odds appear to have shifted in recent weeks to expect the senior Senator to leave office in early 2027.
Not all Democrats are convinced Durbin has one foot out the door.
“Dick Durbin can decide tomorrow he’s running again and raise all of the money he needs to crush the Republicans in about four phone calls,” said another Democratic insider. “This report means nothing.”
One of the top potential replacement candidates for Durbin, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Schaumburg) continues to cement himself as a fundraising juggernaut, raising $2.9 million the first quarter and filing with around $19.4 million on hand.
Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) has also been floated as a potential Senate candidate if Durbin chooses to retire. She raised around $345,000 last quarter and has around $1.1 million on hand.
Many Republicans are eyeing the future of Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) as a potential candidate for U.S. Senate or Governor in 2026. LaHood raised around $600,000 last quarter and has around $5.8 million on hand.
But top Republicans close to LaHood say they don’t expect him to seek anything other than re-election in 2026.
