Photo credit: thehill.com
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) stated on Monday his intention to remain neutral regarding the upcoming contest to succeed him as the No. 2 Senate Democrat. However, he did hint that he has a candidate in mind.
“I don’t have any plans in endorsing because I won’t be voting in that race,” he told reporters, emphasizing his intention to stay out of the decision-making process.
While Durbin chose not to disclose the name of his preferred candidate, he acknowledged the existence of one. “Yes, there is, but it’s a year and a half from now,” he noted. “We’ll see. I don’t know all of the candidates, but several I know very well.”
The Illinois Senator announced last week that he would not seek a sixth term, creating a significant opportunity for leadership within the Democratic party.
On the same day, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), the party’s chief deputy whip, declared his candidacy for the position, making him the first official candidate in the race.
Additionally, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), currently the No. 3 Senate Democrat, and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who leads the influential Appropriations Committee, are also viewed as potential candidates striving for the role.
Durbin’s decision to step down had been anticipated for some time and is expected to lead to an engaging Democratic primary as party members vie to identify his successor.
At 80 years old, Durbin has held the whip position since 2005, previously serving as the chief vote counter for both the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and the current Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
Source
thehill.com