Sen. Dick Durbin Tuesday denied reports that he's considering a race for the Illinois governor's mansion in a few years, saying he's quite happy where he is.
"I have a great job," the Illinois Democrat and Senate Assistant Minority Leader told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program. "I am not aspiring to the governor's position. It was kind of a story that caught fire during the Democratic convention within our delegation."
Durbin acknowledged he does not know where he'll be when his term in office expires in 27 months, but he said he's also not going to speculate about something that far away.
"So it's different when you said on Illinois Public Radio that 'I'll talk it over with my wife' and said 'I'll make a decision,'" said show co-host Mika Brzezinski.
"I did that," Durbin said, laughing. "She said 'you have got a good job, are you crazy?'"
Meanwhile, Durbin said that he is holding out hope that there will be a Democratic majority in the Senate, as there will not be 60 votes.
"We'll need people like [Maine GOP Sen.] Susan Collins, who will step up and work with us as long as we are doing things consistent with her values and principles," said Durbin.
"The fact of the matter is we'll have a challenge. The House is a long shot. It is possible we can take the majority there for the new president. It will be a battle to make sure we come up with bipartisan approaches."
Durbin also addressed concerns from both Democrats and Republicans about GOP nominee Donald Trump being potentially dangerous, and Durbin said there are questions that go beyond whether Congress can override a bad presidential decision.
"This is a situation where he has the authority of commander in chief," said Durbin. "Can anyone imagine Donald Trump as commander in chief of the United States?"
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.