REPORT: Longtime House Democrat Expected To Announce Retirement

Longtime U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) is expected to announce that he will not run for reelection in 2026 as early as Thursday, according to a report that emerged Wednesday.

Davis will be holding a news conference Thursday morning and is expected to make the announcement then, two sources familiar with the matter told Politico. He is also expected to endorse a replacement candidate in what could be a somewhat contentious primary contest.

The seat is not expected to change parties, however, as Illinois’ 7th congressional district currently sits at D+37, according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index. The district includes downtown Chicago, the West Side and some of the city’s inner western suburbs.

Davis, now 83, was first elected to Congress in 1996 and has served 15 terms in office. Prior to his time in Washington, he served as a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Chicago City Council.

The congressman is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Progressive Caucus, Congressional Equity Caucus, and currently sits on the House Ways and Means Committee.

Illinois Democratic State Rep. La Shawn Ford is expected to receive the endorsement from Davis, Politico reported. Former County Commissioner Richard Boykin, businessman Jason Friedman and Marine Corps officer John McCombs have also announced their own bids for the seat.

Davis’ official portrait for the 113th Congress

Davis is expected to join fellow Illinois representative Jan Schakowsky in retiring from Congress in January. The announcement are expected to kick off a number of retirement announcement from senior House Democrats as they continue to draw primary challengers.

Schakowsky, 80, who serves as House Democrats’ chief deputy whip, has been facing a challenge from 26-year-old progressive Kat Abughazaleh.