Illinois Rep. Danny Davis is reportedly preparing to step down after nearly three decades in Congress, setting off what could be a competitive scramble among Democrats for his deep-blue Chicago seat.

Davis, now 83, has served 15 terms representing Illinois’ 7th congressional district, which includes downtown Chicago and much of the city’s West Side. According to Politico, the veteran lawmaker is expected to announce his retirement at a Thursday press conference, where he may also endorse his preferred successor.

Sources say Davis will likely back state Rep. La Shawn Ford, a familiar name in Illinois politics. But the race is far from decided. Former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin, businessman Jason Friedman, and Marine veteran John McCombs are all already in the mix — and more could jump in following Davis’ official announcement.

A Safe Democratic Seat with a Checkered Past

Davis has long enjoyed political dominance in his district, most recently winning re-election with 83% of the vote in 2024. That near-guaranteed win for Democrats means the real contest will likely unfold during the party’s primary, where a more progressive challenger or a better-known local figure could gain traction.

But Davis’ departure also caps a career marked by both influence and controversy. A member of the Congressional Black Caucus and Progressive Caucus, he’s served on the powerful Ways and Means Committee and has been a longtime advocate for social equity issues. At the same time, he’s weathered criticism — most notably for renting office space from a convicted felon linked to a Chicago cocaine trafficking ring, a fact revealed by FEC filings in 2022.

Still, he has remained a fixture in Illinois politics and Washington’s Democratic establishment, often seen as a stabilizing force within his party’s left flank.

A Broader Trend of Senior Democrat Exits

Davis is not alone in heading for the exit. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, another Illinois Democrat, is also expected to retire, and analysts suggest these high-profile exits are part of a broader trend. According to Axios, the party’s most senior lawmakers are increasingly eyeing the exits as a younger generation of Democrats — and more ideological challengers — begin to emerge.

Whether Davis’ retirement signals a true generational shift in Illinois Democratic politics remains to be seen, but it’s already setting the stage for a potentially crowded and closely watched race.

With Chicago’s political machine gearing up, and activists from both moderate and progressive wings ready to mobilize, the race to replace Davis may become one of the most telling primary battles of 2026.

And for Democrats looking to maintain control of the district without alienating voters in a changing city, the decision of whom to nominate may carry consequences far beyond the borders of Illinois’ 7th.