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Posted by
Olog-hai
on Thu Apr 24 02:46:48 2025
Newsweak
Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky Joining Democratic Exits from Congress: ReportRep. Jan Schakowsky, a veteran Democrat from Illinois, is expected to announce her retirement next month after serving 14 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, two individuals familiar with her plans told Politico.
While she has not publicly confirmed her departure, Schakowsky, 80, told Politico that she will reveal her intentions soon: "I'm going to announce my plans on May 5th. Stay tuned," she said.
Newsweek has reached out to Schakowsky's office via email on Wednesday afternoon for comment.
Schakowsky, who represents Illinois' 9th Congressional District, would join a growing list of sitting Democrats that have announced their retirement ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Longtime Senator Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat who is the second highest ranking member of the party in the chamber, announced Wednesday he will not pursue a sixth term in office, setting the stage for a high-stakes succession battle in Illinois ahead of the 2026 election.
As of April 2025, a notable number of Democratic lawmakers have announced they will not seek re-election in the upcoming 2026 elections.What to Know About Schakowsky's House TenureA progressive stalwart, she has been a vocal advocate for consumer protection, women's rights, affordable healthcare and labor issues. Before entering Congress, she served for eight years in the Illinois State Legislature and worked as a consumer advocate.
Throughout her congressional career, Schakowsky has been a prominent member of the House Progressive Caucus and has held leadership positions, including Chief Deputy Whip. She has championed causes like Medicare for All, Social Security protection and climate action.Who is Running for Rep. Jan Schakowsky's House Seat?With Rep. Schakowsky expected to announce her retirement on May 5, several Democrats are positioning themselves to run for Illinois' 9th Congressional District seat.Declared Candidate- Kat Abughazaleh: A 26-year-old progressive activist and former Media Matters staffer, Abughazaleh launched her campaign in March 2025. Known for her strong social media presence and critiques of both conservative media and Democratic leadership, she emphasizes the need for bold progressive policies and has quickly garnered national attention. Her campaign reported raising over $378,000 in its first week, surpassing Schakowsky's fundraising for the entire first quarter of 2025.
Potential Candidates- Daniel Biss: The current mayor of Evanston and former Illinois state senator, Biss is widely speculated to be considering a run. While he has not officially declared his candidacy, his name has been mentioned as a likely contender should Schakowsky retire.
- Laura Fine: Serving as a state senator for Illinois's 9th District since 2019, Fine is another prominent figure expected to enter the race following Schakowsky's announcement.
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