Democratic Rep. Danny Davis of Illinois is expected to announce Thursday he won’t run for reelection in 2026, according to two people granted anonymity to discuss his plans in advance.
Davis — at 83, one of the oldest members of Congress — plans a news conference Thursday morning where he is also likely to make an endorsement for what is expected to be a highly competitive race.
The 15-term lawmaker represents downtown Chicago, its growing West Side and some western suburbs. He is known as a champion of civil rights, affordable housing, prison reentry and health care issues — as well as having a sonorous voice and calm demeanor.
While the deep-blue district has long been considered a Black seat — it includes a portion of Chicago’s South Side, the traditional heart of the city’s African American population — that population has declined due in part to gentrification. While African Americans still have a 42 percent plurality, the white, Latino and Asian populations are fast-growing.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford has already announced he’s running and is expected to get an endorsement from Davis.
Others who have announced they’re running include former County Commissioner Richard Boykin, businessperson Jason Friedman and Marine Corps officer turned comedian John McCombs. Walter Burnett Jr., who until recently was a Chicago alderman, and state Rep. Kam Buckner are among many other potential candidates expected to enter the race.
Davis’ announcement adds to an already unusually turbulent 2026 congressional landscape in Illinois. Four of the state’s 17 House districts are poised to be open seats, with two Democratic incumbents — Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi — running for the Senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin.
Davis serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and has served in leadership roles in the Congressional Black Caucus. Before he was elected to Congress, he served as a Chicago alderman and a Cook County commissioner.
