Longtime Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) is expected to announce his retirement from Congress on Thursday, ending a political career that has spanned nearly three decades in Washington and over 50 years in public service.
The 83-year-old Democrat, who represents Illinois’ deep-blue 7th Congressional District, will hold a press conference Thursday morning, where he is widely expected to confirm he will not seek reelection in 2026, according to Politico.
A Fixture in Illinois Politics
Davis was first elected to Congress in 1996 and has served 15 consecutive terms.
His district, which includes downtown Chicago, the West Side, and nearby inner suburbs, is rated D+37 by the Cook Political Report — meaning the seat is all but guaranteed to remain in Democratic hands.
Before entering Congress, Davis served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Chicago City Council.
Davis is a senior member of several Democratic caucuses, including the Congressional Black Caucus, Progressive Caucus, and the Congressional Equity Caucus. He currently serves on the influential House Ways and Means Committee.
Succession Battle: La Shawn Ford Likely to Get Davis’ Nod
Davis is expected to endorse Illinois State Rep. La Shawn Ford as his preferred successor, according to Politico. Ford, a longtime progressive voice in Springfield, would likely be a front-runner in the Democratic primary with Davis’ backing.
But the race won’t be uncontested. Others who have already launched campaigns for the seat include:
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Richard Boykin, former Cook County Commissioner
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Jason Friedman, a local businessman
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John McCombs, a Marine Corps officer
The contest could become one of the more competitive primaries in a safely Democratic district.
Broader Wave of Retirements Coming?
Davis’s expected announcement comes just days after Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), 80, also confirmed her plans to retire in January, marking the beginning of what insiders expect will be a wave of senior Democratic retirements ahead of the 2026 election cycle.
Schakowsky is currently facing a challenge from 26-year-old progressive Kat Abughazaleh.
What’s Next?
Davis’s retirement will officially trigger a power shift within Chicago’s Democratic machine, setting up a new battle for generational leadership in one of the most reliably blue urban districts in the country.
With endorsements and fundraising already taking shape, the Illinois 7th District primary could become a national bellwether for how much influence the progressive base holds heading into 2026.
GOOD RIDDANCE!!!!!!