Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton quickly announced her candidacy Wednesday for the U.S. Senate seat held by veteran Democrat Dick Durbin, who confirmed he will retire at the end of his term next year after four decades in Congress.
Mr. Durbin, 80, the second-highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate, said the decision to step down was difficult but necessary. In a video statement, the senator said in a video announcing his decision that it was time to "pass the torch" and face the reality that new leadership should take the reins.
His retirement opens a rare Senate seat in a state typically favoring Democrats, setting the stage for what is expected to be a competitive primary race. Ms. Stratton, 20 years Mr. Durbin's junior, was the first prominent Democrat to enter the contest following his announcement.
The wave of retirements among long-serving members, particularly Democrats, has been a notable trend in recent years. Mr. Durbin joins a growing list of senators, most over 65, opting to depart Washington.
Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tina Smith of Minnesota, and Gary Peters of Michigan, all Democrats, have also announced their upcoming exits, as has Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Earlier departures included Sens. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland, Tom Carper of Delaware, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, and Joe Manchin of West Virginia.
This shift follows a period where the longevity of older politicians has drawn increased scrutiny and has cleared paths for younger hopefuls within the Democratic Party. Activists like David Hogg have openly advocated for challenging older incumbents; Hogg outlined his project aimed at supporting such efforts.
Beyond Illinois, other significant political shifts are underway. In Florida, former Republican Congressman David Jolly has taken some preliminary steps toward a gubernatorial run as a newly registered Democrat.
Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace recently held a town hall meeting in South Carolina where attendance was restricted to residents of a private community, raising questions about accessibility for the general public, according to reporting from the area.
In North Carolina, a judicial panel this week threw out a policy that shifted control of the state election board to the state auditor, a move made by Republican legislators after the 2024 elections.
Mr. Durbin's decision was widely anticipated, allowing potential successors time to prepare bids. His exit marks the end of a Senate career that began in 1997 after serving 14 years in the House. He chaired the Judiciary Committee and held the whip position for two decades.
“In my heart,” the senator said, “I know it’s time to pass the torch.”
