Born March 29, 1936, in Brookfield, Massachusetts, Durkin was the youngest of four children, and graduated from St. John's High School in 1954.

He later claimed that his parents told him that the highest callings in life were to become a priest or an honest politician, and that he opted for politics.

[2] He gained a degree of name recognition throughout the State, and frequently made headlines fighting insurance companies on behalf of consumers.

[1] In 1974, Durkin won the Democratic nomination for the Senate being vacated by the retiring 20-year Republican incumbent, Norris Cotton.

In the November 5 general election Durkin appeared to have lost against Republican Congressman Louis Wyman by 355 votes.

Thomson appointed Wyman for the balance of the term ending January 3, 1975, a common practice intended to give an incoming senator an advantage in seniority.

Durkin agreed, and the Senate declared the seat vacant on August 8, 1975, pending the outcome of the new election.

[1] Durkin called for a Senate investigation into the International Brotherhood of Teamsters pension fund and its apparent ties to underworld crime.

[10] Durkin was defeated in his 1980 Senate re-election bid by former state Attorney General Warren Rudman.

He resigned early, six days before the end of his term, so Rudman could be appointed and gain a seniority advantage over other senators elected in 1980.