Mitch McConnell is one of the longest-serving senators in the history of the republic, staying in office for 40 years—but that reign will end in 2026 as the 83-year-old Kentucky Republican and former Majority Leader announced Thursday he will not seek reelection.
According to a report, he will make a formal statement and read these prepared remarks (that speech started just a few minutes ago):
“Seven times, my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate,” McConnell will say, according to prepared remarks.
“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.”
The late Dem Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia holds the record at 51 years. McConnell, meanwhile, has been in office since 1985. Although it seems to some like he’s been there forever, there are actually several others besides Byrd who are currently in the lead for the dubious title:
It’s worth noting that McConnell is the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history, having led the Senate Republican Conference from November 2006 until January 2025, a period of over 18 years. This distinction often causes confusion with his overall Senate tenure. However, in terms of total years as a senator, he falls short of Byrd and others.
As we’ve discussed, McConnell has not been a strong ally of President Trump and has also been experiencing numerous health issues.
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BREAKING: Mitch McConnell will NOT be seeking re-election next year. pic.twitter.com/XkP9ruCtFm
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 20, 2025
McConnell chose his 83rd birthday to make the decision. Although he leaves behind a complicated legacy, he will be remembered by Republicans for keeping Merrick Garland off the highest court and for forging a conservative SCOTUS:
His announcement begins the epilogue of a storied career as a master strategist, one in which he helped forge a conservative Supreme Court and steered the Senate through tax cuts, presidential impeachment trials and fierce political fights.
McConnell, first elected in 1984, intends to serve the remainder of his term ending in January 2027.
The senator plans to deliver his speech in a chamber the famously taciturn McConnell revered as a young intern long before joining its back benches as a freshman lawmaker in the mid-1980s. His dramatic announcement comes almost a year after his decision to relinquish his leadership post after the November 2024 election. South Dakota Sen. John Thune, a top McConnell deputy, replaced him as majority leader.
The jockeying for his seat can be expected to commence immediately. Here’s where it stands now:
📊 2026 KY Senate GOP Primary (“If Senator McConnell’s seat becomes open”)*
Four way race
• Daniel Cameron 32%
• Thomas Massie 16%
• Andy Barr 10%
• Kelly Craft 3%
—
Without Massie
• Daniel Cameron 37%
• Andy Barr 12%
• Kelly Craft 6%
——
*conducted by @Co/efficient (“a… pic.twitter.com/DTIO6AH20i— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) February 12, 2025
