Dick Durbin, No. 2 Senate Democrat, won't seek re-election

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Sen. Dick Durbin, D- Ill., the Senate Democratic whip and the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, has announced he will not seek re-election in 2026. 

Durbin, who was first elected to the Senate in 1996, made the announcement in a video message on X Wednesday.

"The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy," Durbin said. 

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is retiring after 30 years of service. The powerful Judiciary Committee chairman will step down at the end of his term. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

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"I truly love the job of being a United States Senator. But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch. So, I am announcing today that I will not be seeking re-election at the end of my term."

This is a breaking news story and will be updated. 

Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.

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