Longtime Illinois Democrat Danny Davis Expected to Retire

Rep. Danny Davis, an 83-year-old Democrat who has represented Illinois' 7th Congressional District since 1996, is expected to announce he will not seek reelection in the 2026 midterm elections. Davis, known for his leadership in civil rights, criminal justice reform, and affordable housing, will hold a news conference to formally share his decision and is anticipated to endorse Democratic state Rep. La Shawn Ford as his successor. His retirement opens a safe Democratic seat that includes downtown Chicago, the West Side, and some western suburbs, and is expected to trigger a competitive Democratic primary with several candidates already declared or considering bids. Davis joins other senior Illinois Democrats, such as Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Sen. Dick Durbin, who are also retiring, creating multiple open seats and competitive primaries in the state ahead of the 2026 elections. The district Davis represents has a significant African American population, and Davis has won reelection with about 83% of the vote in recent cycles. This wave of retirements reflects growing pressure from younger grassroots Democrats for long-serving members to step aside and allow new leadership to emerge.