Dick Durbin Endorses Schumer For Senate Democratic Leader

FILE - In this March 18, 2014 file photo, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., speaks to the media during Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's election night reception in Chicago. Durbin is being challenged by Republican Jim Oberweis... FILE - In this March 18, 2014 file photo, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., speaks to the media during Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's election night reception in Chicago. Durbin is being challenged by Republican Jim Oberweis in the November election and said he is taking his opponent seriously, even if many others are not. Political prognosticators and even some top Republicans say Durbin’s rival is a long shot to unseat the Senate’s second-ranking Democrat. (AP Photo/Andrew A. Nelles, File) MORE LESS
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In a remarkable twist, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) revealed Friday he won’t challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to succeed Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) as Democratic leader once he retires in 2016.

“Senator Durbin told Senator Schumer late last night that he wasn’t running for Leader, and that Schumer has his support,” a Durbin spokesman said in an email. “Durbin intends to run again for Whip and has Senator Reid’s support. He’s been speaking with senators this morning.”

Schumer, having also secured Reid’s backing for the job, is now the overwhelming favorite.

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