SPRINGFIELD – Sen. Dick Durbin’s vote to join Senate Republicans in ending the government shutdown has sparked backlash within his own party, with many concerned the move undermined Democrat “leverage.”
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Durbin defended his decision as prioritizing working families over political gamesmanship, saying, “Many of my friends are unhappy. They think we should have kept our government closed indefinitely to protest the policies of the Trump administration. I share their opinions of this administration but cannot accept a strategy [that] wages political battles at the expense of my neighbors’ paychecks or food for [their] children.”
U.S. Senate Candidate Don Tracy responded to the fallout over Durbin’s vote:
“As a Republican, I am not a fan of Dick Durbin’s politics. But when someone gets it right, you have to give credit where it’s due. And on his vote to end the Democrat filibuster and reopen the government, Senator Durbin did the right thing.
“My extremist Democrat opponents, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, have condemned Senator Durbin for putting country over party. Their reaction speaks volumes about their true priorities.
“Americans were hurting. Federal workers were missing paychecks. Families were worried about food for their children. Yet, activists groups and the extremist-wing of the Democrat party demanded the government remain closed indefinitely for political ‘leverage,’ a position my likely Democrat opponents supported. Their condemnation of Durbin for standing with working families makes one thing clear: They answer left-wing extremists, not everyday Illinoisans.
“I’m running for Senate to bring common sense back to Washington, reduce the cost of living, and represent all of Illinois, not primarily political insiders or special interest groups.
“In 2026, Illinois deserves a senator who will prioritize their country over party power. On this vote, Senator Durbin set that example. As your next senator, I’ll uphold the standard of people over politics.”
