Some Democrats Begin Behind the Scenes Posturing to Replace Durbin
Sen. Dick Durbin had another below average fundraising quarter to end 2023, ramping speculation he may not seek re-election in 2026.
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After another quarter of below average fundraising, chatter in Democratic circles continues to pick up about the future plans of Sen. Dick Durbin, and if the longtime Senator will seek re-election in 2026.
Durbin, will turn 82 a few days after the 2026 election, raised just $106,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023 and has about $1.7 million in the bank. Meanwhile, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who just won another term in 2022 and wouldn’t seek re-election until 2028, raised $426,000 in the forth quarter of last year and reported around $1.9 million in the bank.
In conversations with more than a dozen Democrats in recent days, some current and former elected officials, others insiders or consultants, it appears a potential field to replace Durbin would be “insane,” as one consultant put it.
Though none were willing to speak on the record because Durbin hasn’t announced his future plans, many spoke with us on the condition of anonymity.
The first question that needs to be answered, is what is Durbin’s likely path forward?
When we first posed the question to a Durbin spokesperson last fall, they replied “we have nothing to share at this time about the Senator's plans for 2026 or beyond.” When contacted Monday, Durbin’s office said the prior statement still stands.
If Durbin completes his current term, he’ll match Shelby Cullom, who served from 1883-1913. No Illinois Senator has ever served a sixth term.
But a 2026 field without Durbin would likely bring Democrats from far and wide seeking the seat and a shot at the national stage.
Multiple Democrats say suburban Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Schaumburg) has long been positioning himself for a shot at the Senate seat. Krishnamoorthi is sitting on a war chest of over $15.4 million, far outpacing other Democrats in the state.
“He may as well already be running,” one Democrat insider said. “It’s the worst kept secret in the state.”
A spokesperson for Krishnamoorthi’s campaign did not respond to a message from The Illinoize.
Another name often floated by Democrats is Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who replaced another longtime politician, former Secretary of State Jesse White, twelve years after losing a race for U.S. Senate to Mark Kirk.
“I don’t think Alexi came back to run DMV’s,” said one Democratic operative. “He certainly still has his eyes on something bigger.”
Many other Democrats say the Senate field likely could change depending on whatever Governor JB Pritzker chooses to do in 2026. No Governor has sought or been elected to a third full term since Jim Thompson in 1986. (Thompson won a two year term in 1976 and won full four year terms in 1978, 1982, and 1986.)
“There are probably ten other people who would prefer to run for Governor,” said one longtime lawmaker. “But if Senate is what’s open, you’ll see a lot of names.”
Those include Attorney General Kwame Raoul, State Treasurer Mike Frerichs, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton.
Some downstate Democrats believe Durbin prefers former State Senator and current Deputy Governor Andy Manar as his eventual replacement, but it isn’t clear how much political capital Durbin would put into installing a successor.
“If [Governor] JB Pritzker runs again, you could see a Senate field ten or twelve deep,” said a Democratic operative. “It’ll be the political wild west.”