Durbin raises just $43K as Senate waits on retirement
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Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., in the Capitol on Tuesday, April 8. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the Senate's second-ranking Democrat, raised less than $43,000 for his campaign in the first three months of 2025, underscoring widespread expectations that the 80 year-lawmaker won't seek another term.
Why it matters: Durbin's retirement would open a top slot in Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) leadership team as well as set up a potentially contentious primary for a coveted deep blue Senate seat.
- Durbin's campaign raised just $42,695 in the first quarter of this year, according to a report filed to the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday.
- The minority whip has said that he plans to make an announcement soon regarding his 2026 plans. Schumer has privately asked lawmakers to make those decisions sooner rather than later.
- A Durbin spokesperson said the senator "remains an active fundraiser" and "has been actively helping out his colleagues that are in cycle," noting, among other examples, that his annual Prairie PAC weekend is scheduled for June in Chicago.
The big picture: Democratic donors hope that if Durbin does retire, he'll be the party's final senator to call it quits ahead of next year's midterms.
- Schumer has already seen three senior Senate Democrats opt to step aside in 2026, including Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who open up seats Republicans have a good chance of taking.
- Schumer has a narrow path back to a Senate majority: He needs to flip four GOP seats in a cycle with only two strong targets, in North Carolina and Maine.
Between the lines: By contrast, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) raised $3 million in the first quarter amid speculation that he may run if Durbin retires.
- Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), the former Illinois Democratic Party chair and a member of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' (D-N.Y.) leadership team, is considering a run as well, Axios reported in November.
- Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), also a member of Jeffries' leadership circle, has been floated as another possible candidate, as has Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
Go deeper: Scoop: Senate Dems hit GOP on Social Security in first 2026 ads
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
