Richard J. Durbin
Richard Joseph Durbin is an American politician and attorney serving as the senior United States senator from Illinois, a seat he has held since 1997. A member of the Democratic Party, Durbin is in his fifth Senate term and has served since 2005 as the Senate Democratic Whip and since 2025 as the Senate minority whip. He is the longest-serving Democratic whip since the position was established in 1913.
100 votes
13 days until Election Day
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 — every House seat and about a third of the Senate are on the ballot.
Background
Born
1944-11-21, East St. Louis
Education
Georgetown University, Georgetown University Law Center, Walsh School of Foreign Service
Prior Occupations
politician, lawyer, professor
Positions Held
United States representative, intern, legal counselor, delegate, United States senator
News mentioning Richard J. Durbin
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Country
United States
Chamber
Senate
Party
Democrat
State
Illinois
Status
Current member
In office since
1983
Competency Scorecard
What this person's job actually involves