Durbin’s Fundraising Falls Off

CHICAGO — Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin raised just $42,695 in the first three months of this year, a possible sign he might not seek reelection.

About one-third of the funds raised from individual donors came from small-dollar contributions, indicating Durbin hasn’t done a lot of big-money fundraising.

Durbin ended the quarter with $1.63 million cash on hand, according to a campaign finance report filed Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission. He had $2.4 million in the bank at the same time ahead of his previous election six years ago, according to FEC filings.

Should he stay in the race, Durbin is expected to win another election. But he’s 80 and has said he recognizes the challenges of embarking on a two-year campaign and six years in another term.

A handful of Illinois Democrats have already begun quietly lining up to run should he retire. His possible exit would create a domino of political moves in the state.

On Monday, Durbin, the No. 2 Democratic leader in the Senate, said he will announce his next move “soon.”