# Dick Durbin Five-term Democratic senator from Illinois, serving 1997 through January 2027. Senate Democratic Whip 2005–2025 (second-longest whip tenure in Senate history). Former U.S. Representative (IL-20, 1983–1997). Announced retirement April 23, 2025. The institutional-Democrat archetype in full: long-serving, procedurally skilled, caucus-loyal, not a celebrity legislator but a workhorse whip. ## Career highlights - U.S. House 1983–1997 - U.S. Senate 1997–2027; elected 1996 defeating Al Salvi - Senate Democratic Whip 2005–2025 (20 years — second-longest in history) - Chair, [[Senate Judiciary Committee]] (2021–2025 when D held majority) - Lead author / co-sponsor of DREAM Act (first introduced 2001) — the template for later DACA policy - Led Democratic side of Supreme Court confirmation battles (Sotomayor, Kagan, Jackson); Judiciary Chair during the contested Kavanaugh, Barrett confirmations ## 2026 cycle Not running. Announced retirement April 23, 2025. Endorsed Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the Democratic primary; Stratton won March 17 with 40.2%. Stratton is heavy favorite in the November general against Republican Don Tracy. See [[IL-Sen-2026]] for full race context. ## Ideological positioning - Institutional Senate liberal — close to median Senate Democrat across career - Signature immigration-reform advocate (DREAM Act, comprehensive reform attempts 2006, 2013) - Strong civil-liberties record on FISA / surveillance / due process - Judiciary Committee tenure established him as one of the Senate's most consequential confirmations-era Democrats - Not known for floor-theater style; relied on whip operations and committee work ## Related - [[IL-Sen-2026]]