Will Durbin Run in 2026?
Sen. Dick Durbin raised less money in the second quarter than many of his colleagues, leading to speculation about his political future in 2026.
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Recent fundraising reports have raised questions about the future of U.S. Senator Richard Durbin.
Durbin raised around $115,000 in the second quarter of the year, ending June with about $1.5 million cash on hand. He was far outpaced in fundraising by Illinois’ junior Senator, Tammy Duckworth. Duckworth raised around $570,000 in the last quarter and had about $1.7 million cash on hand, even after running for re-election last year.
Durbin won re-election handily in 2020. He was elected to the Senate in 1996 and didn’t face serious challenges in 2002, 2008, or 2014. He served in the House from 1983 to 1997.
Durbin tested positive for COVID-19 this weekend, his third bout with the virus in the last year. He has also survived cancer scares in recent years
Durbin would turn 82 a couple of weeks after the 2026 election. He is already the seventh oldest member of the Senate.
His office did not respond for comment, though a spokesperson told another outlet last week it was “way too early” to begin conversations about 2026.
Some Democrats we spoke to said they believe Durbin isn’t acting like he’s slowing down.
“He hasn’t really cut back on events and in state travel,” said one high ranking Democrat. “He moves around the state like a candidate.
If Durbin weren’t to run again, it could open the flood gates for a potential Democratic primary. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Schaumburg), has amassed a war chest of $13.5 million and would be seen as a likely candidate for the post. A statewide elected official like Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, and State Treasurer Mike Frerichs could all be mentioned as potential replacements.
It’s been rumored Durbin would prefer a downstate candidate to eventually replace him in the Senate. That could mean Frerichs, a longtime Champaign resident who recently moved to Chicago, or Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield), or former State Senator Andy Manar, a current Deputy Governor, could all be on Durbin’s preferred list.
The future of Governor JB Pritzker could also impact a race for Durbin’s seat. If Pritzker sought and ran for a third term, he would be the first Governor to do so since Jim Thompson was elected to his final term in 1986. If Pritzker foregoes a third term, the field for the two offices would likely be split.
We asked a top Republican operative Monday if a serious Senate contender would emerge against Durbin or in an open race.
“Yeah, good luck with that,” the operative said sarcastically.