"The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy. I truly love the job of being a United States Senator. But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch," the 80-year-old Durbin said in a video posted to social media on April 23.

Long-time Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin announced his retirement Wednesday, setting off a once-in-a-decade leadership fight to fill his highly-coveted position.