Speculation that Richard Durbin might not seek another term as Senate Democratic Whip – either next year or in two years – could open the door for New Jersey’s Cory Booker to move up in leadership.
When Semafor’s Burgess Everett asked if he would seek another term in leadership next year, he declined to answer. The 79-year-old Durbin has been the Democratic whip—the second highest-ranking position in the Senate leadership—since 2005.
Everett reported that “despite Durbin’s caginess,” most Democrats expect him to run again for whip. But Everett also noted that Durbin is still deciding if he will seek a sixth term in the Senate in 2026; if he does and wins, he’d be 87 after that term.
Semafor reported that Chief Deputy Whip Brian Schatz of Hawaii might be the favorite to succeed Durbin when he steps down. This could set up a contest between Booker and Amy Klobuchar, 64, of Minnesota, to replace Schatz.
Durbin narrowly unseated Rep. Paul Findley (R-Illinois) in 1982 after AIPAC and other pro-Israel groups became uncomfortable with the eleven-term incumbent’s advocacy of the Palestine Liberation Organization and his relationship with PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat. He moved up to the Senate when Paul Simon retired in 1996.
After twenty years, Durbin is the longest-serving Senate whip in U.S. history. He also chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Booker, who also serves as a deputy whip, is well-positioned to move up in leadership next year. He currently serves as vice chair of the Policy and Communications Committee; the chair, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, and the other vice chair, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, are not seeking re-election.
Booker, 55, and Schatz, 51, are the youngest members of the Senate Democratic leadership. The other members of the leadership team are Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (73), Elizabeth Warren (75), Mark Warner (69), Bernie Sanders (83), and Catherine Cortez-Masto (60). The third chief deputy whip, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, is 67.