By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is strongly hinting he’s a candidate for re-election in 2020, as he said on NBC’s Meet the Press, which was heard Sunday on WJBC.

“I can tell people that I’m raising money and trying to lose some weight. That’s usually the first indication that you’re up for reelection,” said Durbin.

Durbin holds the second highest position among Senate Democrats. He was first elected to the Senate in 1996 after the retirement of his mentor, the late Paul Simon.

Meantime, Durbin said Congressional Democrats are all for spending billions of dollars on border security, as long as it’s not for a wall.

“We see Fentanyl coming across the border, from Mexico, into the United States and killing thousands of people. We currently are only screening one out of five cars and trucks coming across our border. Let us dramatically increase the technology there in something called a Z Portal. That’s the kind of investment that Democrats want to see for real border security, not some medieval wall,” said Durbin.

Durbin also said he’s heartbroken that Defense Secretary James Mattis is leaving his job. He said Mattis was a mature voice stopping President Trump’s “worst impulse” when making life-and-death national security decisions.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]