This could be big news, though the fact that Illinois, one of the bluest and most corrupt states in the nation, will be voting in the election to fill Durbin's seat isn't really pumping my veins with optimism.
The 80-year-old senator's term is up just in time for the 2026 midterms, which usually see a change in power in the House (meaning Dems likely win the seats). Though, with the unpredictability of President Donald Trump, we never know what to expect -- and we could be pleasantly surprised.
And the Dems are losing one of their top guys here -- a guy who gave us the Dream Act and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Even though Democrats don't control either chamber of Congress or the White House, losing Durbin and his seniority on Capitol Hill will be a blow for the state. As the Senate Democratic whip, Durbin is the No. 2-ranking member of his political caucus, which gave him outsized influence on the nation's politics and on federal policy. He also is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee and spent 26 years on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which is the chamber's main budget-writing panel.
Democrats in line to fill the seat include former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly.
The Republicans looking to fill the seat are from Illinois, so we really have no idea who they might be.
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