Senator Mitch McConnell has declared he will not pursue reelection next year, marking the conclusion of a 40-year tenure in Congress during which the Kentucky Republican became the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history. On his 83rd birthday, McConnell informed the Senate of this decision, stating that his current term would be his last, reflecting on the honor of representing Kentucky in the Senate for seven terms.
McConnell, a pivotal and occasionally divisive figure in the Senate, withdrew from leadership last year due to health concerns. At 83, he experienced abrupt moments where he was unable to speak during press conferences in both July and August of 2024. Previously, in March 2023, he was hospitalized after a fall at a D.C. hotel.
McConnell’s enduring legacy largely lies in his efforts to influence the federal judiciary by appointing conservative judges, actions that endeared him to the conservative movement. Despite fractious relations with President Trump and criticism of his conservative commitment, McConnell remained focused on reshaping the courts.
First elected in 1984, McConnell quickly set his sights on becoming the majority leader. Utilizing his strategic acumen, he gained a seat on the Appropriations Committee, driving federal funding towards his state, thus bolstering his influence and electoral prospects. His ascent in Senate leadership included terms as Senate campaign chair, whip, minority leader, and ultimately majority leader when Republicans regained Senate control in 2014.
During President Obama’s administration, McConnell staunchly opposed Democratic legislative efforts. His objective to make Obama a one-term president remained unfulfilled. However, his ongoing conflicts with the Obama administration became some of the defining aspects of his tenure.
A significant moment in McConnell’s career involved the judiciary. In 2013, then-Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid altered Senate rules to ease confirming lower court nominees, prompting McConnell’s warning about future repercussions. When Justice Antonin Scalia passed away in 2016, McConnell blocked the Obama administration from filling the vacancy, which he later deemed his most impactful decision. This move potentially contributed to Trump’s election, as McConnell’s decision inspired a significant turnout from conservative constituents.
Following Trump’s election, McConnell facilitated the appointment of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court by using procedural changes to circumvent Democratic opposition. This strategy allowed Trump to subsequently appoint two additional conservative justices, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, shifting the Court’s balance.
Throughout Trump’s presidency, McConnell prioritized judicial appointments over significant legislation, aligning with Trump’s vision despite personal differences. Trump acknowledged McConnell’s role in these appointments, though Democrats criticized his approach in the Senate.
The relationship between McConnell and Trump deteriorated over time. The January 6, 2021, Capitol attack was a critical point, leading McConnell to publicly hold Trump accountable for inciting the violence, despite not voting for his conviction in the subsequent impeachment trial. Nevertheless, McConnell endorsed Trump’s 2024 presidential bid.
In the early part of Trump’s second term, McConnell opposed several of his Cabinet nominations, notably that of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services, due to Kennedy’s controversial stance on public health. This opposition was especially personal for McConnell, who had battled polio as a child.
In his farewell address, McConnell emphasized the Senate’s responsibility in judicial appointments, expressing that neglecting this duty endangers both the Senate and the nation. McConnell, a strong advocate for U.S. aid to Ukraine following its 2022 invasion, alluded to remaining unresolved issues regarding national defense.
Shortly after his announcement, Kentucky’s Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron declared his candidacy for McConnell’s seat, with Representative Andy Barr also contemplating a run. The Republican nominee is expected to be highly favored in the traditionally conservative state.
