Democratic Senator Dick Durbin won

Washington-Senator Dick Durbin (D-Bill.), A veteran senator and the second highest Democrat in the Senate, announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election, starting what is expected to be a primary crowded to replace it.

“The decision to run for re -election has not been easy. I really love the work of being a senator of the United States,” Durbin Said on social networks. “But in my heart, I know it’s time to spend the torch.”

“Then, I am announcing today that I will not look for re -election at the end of my mandate.”

Durbin, 80, has been in a public office for more than four decades. He was chosen for the Senate in 1997 after serving in the camera for 14 years. His decades has made him the whip of the oldest Senate party in the history of the United States. Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire, Gary Peters de Michigan and Tina Smith of Minnesota as Democrats who retire and give way to a younger generation in the upper chamber.

Durbin’s departure will trigger a crazy fight not only for his reliable seat of the blue Senate, but for his colleagues anxious to ascend in the leadership of the Senate and in the committees.

Possible candidates to replace Durbin in the Senate have been compromising for their seat long before their Wednesday’s announcement, including Democratic representatives Lauren Underwood, Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi, as well as the lieutenant governor of Illinois Juliana Stratton. Illinois state senator, Robert Peters and Christopher Swann, a non -profit leader in Chicago, are other Democrats who have As reported, an interest indicated When you run for your seat in the Senate.

A recent one survey From 314 Action Fund, he discovered that Underwood, who has been organizing and raising money for his campaign, has the greatest recognition of the candidates in the field. Krishnamorthi, who has already raised a striking $ 19 millionhe also surveyed.

Some of Durbin’s Senate colleagues had their press statements ready for their announcement, including those with ambitions to fill their positions. Initially, News themezone learned of Durbin’s retirement news by Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who issued a statement praising the decades of service of the Democrat of Illinois before most of the media had informed about his retirement. Schatz, 52, is A probable contender To occupy the role of Durbin as a democratic whip in leadership.

Schatz said Durbin has been “a pillar of leadership, integrity and unwavering dedication to the people of his native state of Illinois and La Nación,” a “Senate Titan” called him.

“When it addresses a flight and can breathe clean and smoke -free air, you can thank Dick Durbin,” said Hawaii’s Democrat. “When we see advances in medical research in NIH that are helping to save lives, you can thank Dick Durbin. The list continues.”

Meanwhile, 314 Action Fund, who focuses on choosing Democrats with a history of science and medicine, did not waste the time that supports Underwood to replace Durbin. Underwood is a registered nurse and a public health expert.

“Senator Durbin has been an undisputed champion for Illinois, offering again and again for the state, while no one can fill their shoes, voters are ready for the next generation of bold leadership,” said Erik Polyak, managing director of 314 Action, in a statement. “It is clear that voters trust the Underwood representative to continue their legacy. His voice and his Stem experience is crucial to make a real and lasting change in the problems faced by Americans every day.”

Bloomberg through Getty Images

Durbin’s legacy will be largely defined by his role as the main Democrat in the powerful Judicial Committee of the Senate. While presided over the 2021 panel to 2025, he helped direct a massive number of federal judges for President Joe Biden to confirmation: 235 judges, five more than what Donald Trump said in his first mandate. The confirmation of the Judge of the Supreme Court Ketanji Brown Jackson was easily the most proud moment for Durbin and Biden.

He has also led the position for the efforts that forbade smoking in airplanes, expanded health research and added protections for dreamers, or people who were brought to the United States as children by parents who were undocumented immigrants.

Durbin’s probable successor in the Judicial Committee of the Senate is Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (Dr.i.). The 69 -year -old Democrat directed a failed effort in 2020 to prevent Durbin from serving simultaneously as the party whip and as a classification member in this committee.

Durbin will fulfill the rest of his current mandate until January 2027.

CORRECTION: This publication has been modified to declare correctly when the term of Durbin in the position will end.