Illinois Democrat Danny Davis to announce House retirement decision
Danny Davis, an 83-year-old Democrat and longtime U.S. Representative from Illinois, is expected to announce his retirement and will not seek reelection in the 2026 midterm elections. Davis, who has represented Illinois’s 7th Congressional District since 1996, is known for his leadership in civil rights, criminal justice reform, and affordable housing. His retirement opens up a highly competitive Democratic primary for the Chicago-based district. State Representative La Shawn K. ford is anticipated to receive Davis’s endorsement and has already declared his candidacy. Othre potential candidates include former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin, businessman Jason Friedman, comedian and Marine Corps veteran John McCombs, former Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., and State Representative Kam Buckner. The 7th District has a significant African American population, making it a notable seat in Illinois politics. Davis’s departure adds to several other Illinois congressional retirements, including Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Senator Dick Durbin, marking four open Illinois House seats in 2026 that could attract strong competition and present potential opportunities for Republicans.
Democrat Danny Davis, 83, to announce retirement from Illinois House seat
Longtime Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) is expected to announce he won’t seek reelection in the 2026 midterm elections, opening up another seat in the Illinois delegation to Congress.
Davis, 83, will hold a news conference on Thursday morning to “formally share his decision,” per a release obtained by the Washington Examiner. The congressman is also expected to endorse a successor to Illinois’s 7th District, per Politico.
The retirement of the 15-term Democrat, known for being a leader in civil rights, criminal justice reform, and affordable housing, is expected to draw a heavy Democratic primary for his seat. Davis has represented the Chicago district since 1996.
Democratic state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford is expected to receive Davis’s endorsement, per Politico, and has already announced a bid. Other declared challengers include former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin, businessman Jason Friedman, and Marine Corps officer turned comedian John McCombs.
Former Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. and Democratic state Rep. Kam Buckner are also weighing bids to represent the 7th District, which includes downtown Chicago, its South Side, and the expanding West Side and western suburbs.
The district has a considerable African American population, accounting for about 42% of its residents.
Davis is the third Illinois Democrat to announce he is retiring from Congress, and his district will be the fourth open Illinois seat for the House in the 2026 midterm elections. Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Sen. Dick Durbin are not seeking another term, opening up a competitive primary for both seats and potential pick-up opportunities for Republicans.
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Along with Davis and Schakowsky’s open seats, Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Robin Kelly (D-IL) are vacating their districts to run for Durbin’s open Senate seat. The race is considered “solid Democrat” by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, but Republicans see a slight opening to flip his Senate seat for the first time in nearly three decades.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Ford for comment.
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