WASHINGTON — Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the No. 2-ranked Democrat in the Senate, announced Wednesday that he won’t seek reelection.

“The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy. I truly love the job of being a United States Senator,” Durbin said on social media. “But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch.”

“So, I am announcing today that I will not be seeking re-election at the end of my term.”

Durbin, 80, has been in the Senate since 1997. He served in the House before that, too, from 1983 until 1997. His departure will set off a mad scramble not just for his Senate seat, but for his colleagues eager to move up in leadership and on committees.

Durbin will serve out the rest of his current term, through November 2026.

This is a developing story and will be updated.