CHICAGO (AP) – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois has been re-elected as the Senate’s number two Democrat. The Senate Democratic caucus voted to keep Durbin as Democratic whip, a leadership role he’s held since 2005.
Durbin also says he won’t run for Illinois governor in 2018. Top Democrats had mentioned him as a possible challenger to Governor Bruce Rauner. Durbin said that his choice is to remain the Senate. He says that after Tuesday’s election of Republican Donald Trump as president many people encouraged him to do so, saying “We need you.”
Durbin has represented Illinois in the Senate since 1996.