Brian Schatz racks up support to succeed Dick Durbin as the No. 2 Senate Democrat

Senator Dick Durbin’s retirement has sparked early endorsements for Senator Brian Schatz to potentially succeed him as the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate. Schatz, from Hawaii, has been actively seeking support for the role of Senate Democratic whip, securing at least eight endorsements so far. While other contenders like Amy Klobuchar and Patty Murray are being considered, Schatz is making strides with endorsements from key senators. The election to replace Durbin will take place after the 2026 midterms, giving Schatz a head start in his campaign. If successful, Schatz would rise in the leadership hierarchy and continue the trend of men holding the top two leadership positions in the Senate Democratic Caucus. The leadership election process is held privately through secret ballots, requiring a simple majority of Senate Democrats’ support for a candidate to win a position.