10
Loading video...
By Andrew Stanton and Gabe Whisnant
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Republican Senator Mitch McConnell announced Thursday that he will not seek reelection in 2026, bringing an end to his decades-long career as a key power broker in the Senate. While he championed conservative causes, McConnell ultimately saw his influence challenged by the rise of Trump-era GOP populism.
Marking his 83rd birthday, McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party leader, informed The Associated Press of his decision before delivering a farewell address to colleagues on the Senate floor. His departure signals the final chapter of a storied career, where he shaped a conservative Supreme Court, navigated tax cuts, impeachment trials and some of the most contentious political battles in modern history.
"Seven times, my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate," McConnell said in prepared remarks provided in advance to the AP. "Every day in between I've been humbled by the trust they've placed in me to do their business here. Representing our commonwealth has been the honor of a lifetime. I will not seek this honor an eighth time. My current term in the Senate will be my last."
Read More on U.S.
Why It Matters
McConnell's retirement will be the end of an era for the Republican Party. For decades, the Kentucky Republican was one of the most influential politicians across the country. His retirement also means there may end up being one less Republican Trump critic in the Senate during the second half of the president's second term.
...
It comes as Republican leadership has shifted in recent years—McConnell stepped down as the Senate GOP leader last year and was replaced by South Dakota Senator John Thune. House Republicans also saw their leadership change in 2023, with the ascension of Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana.
What to Know
Last week, Trump dismissed McConnell as a "very bitter guy" after the senator, a polio survivor, opposed the confirmation of vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the nation's top health official. In return, McConnell called Trump a "despicable human being" and a "narcissist" in a biography written by Michael Tackett, deputy Washington bureau chief for The Associated Press.
McConnell, first elected in 1984, intends to serve out his term through January 2027, despite recent health issues, including injuries from falls and brief episodes of freezing mid-speech. His farewell speech will take place in the Senate chamber he once revered as a young intern, marking the end of a career spanning four decades.
McConnell's exit underscores the shifting dynamics within a Trump-dominated GOP. Once a powerful force in conservative politics, he has seen his influence wane alongside his deteriorating health and strained relationship with Trump, who once called him an ally but now criticizes him harshly. In Kentucky, his departure leaves a power vacuum, sparking an intense GOP primary battle for his Senate seat. Though Democratic Governor Andy Beshear has dismissed Senate ambitions, he is widely viewed as a rising star in national politics.
A staunch Reagan-style conservative, McConnell has clashed with his party's shift toward Trump's populist, isolationist stance. He remains a strong advocate for U.S. military support to Ukraine, even as Trump criticizes aid to Kyiv and questions President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's leadership. In his speech, McConnell will emphasize national security and defense, reinforcing that these issues remain his top priorities in his final years in office.
Trump and McConnell worked closely throughout his first term in office, but their relationship soured after the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, for which McConnell blamed Trump—though he still voted to acquit him during his impeachment trial. McConnell also endorsed Trump's 2024 presidential bid.
Shortly after McConnell's announcement, Representative Andy Barr, who represents the Lexington area in Congress, expressed interest in running for his seat in a statement posted to X.
"As I've said before this announcement, I am considering running for Senate because Kentucky deserves a Senator who will fight for President Trump and the America First Agenda," he said.
What People Are Saying
Tres Watson, host of Kentucky Politics Weekly, on X: "If you're a Kentuckian who doesn't understand then immense impact Mitch McConnell has had on the Commonwealth, you just don't understand what the Federal Government does, how it works, or how it impacts our state. Thank you Senator."
The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump group, on X: "It was always America or Trump. Mitch McConnell made his choice a long time ago. Now, his legacy will always be tied to Trump and the attempt to destroy democracy."
Senator Pete Ricketts, a Nebraska Republican, on X: "Few people in history have loved the institution of the United States Senate more than Mitch McConnell. Under his leadership, Senate Republicans helped confirm countless constitutional judges across the federal judiciary, and most notably on the Supreme Court. Leader McConnell also led our institution in passing historic conservative reforms."
What Happens Next
Kentucky is one of the most conservative states in the country, meaning the race to succeed McConnell is unlikely to become competitive. Trump carried the state with nearly 65 percent of the vote last year, while McConnell last won reelection in 2020 with about 58 percent of the vote.
The Cook Political Report classifies the race as Solid Republican, meaning it is "not considered competitive and are not likely to become closely contested."
Still, the Republican primary could be competitive if several high-profile contenders jump into the race. Earlier in February, The Lexington Herald-Leader reported earlier in February that former Attorney General Daniel Cameron is also considering a run.
Reporting by The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Update: 2/20/25, 11:44 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 2/20/25 12:37 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines