Durbin has ‘no plans’ to endorse in Democratic leadership race for his successor

Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) on Monday said he plans to publicly stay out of any potential fight to replace him as the No. 2 Senate Democrat, though he indicated he has a preferred candidate in mind.

“I don’t have any plans in endorsing because I won’t be voting in that race,” Durbin told reporters.

Durbin declined to name his preferred candidate.

“Yes, there is, but it’s a year and a half from now,” he said. “We’ll see. I don’t know of all of the candidates, but several I know very well.”

The Illinois Democrat announced last week that he will not be running for a sixth term,

opening a rare and coveted leadership slot.

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), the party’s chief deputy whip, announced his plans to run for the position on Monday, making him the lone candidate to formally enter the race.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), the No. 3 Senate Democrat, and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the powerful Appropriations Committee, are also considered possible contenders. 

Durbin’s decision was widely expected in recent months and is expected to spawn a lively Democratic primary to find his replacement. 

The 80-year-old lawmaker has served as whip since 2005, having been the top vote counter for the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and current Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).