Senator Mitch McConnell says he won’t seek reelection

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell said yesterday that he will retire at the end of his term and won’t “run for reelection” in 2026. The announcement came on his 83rd birthday.

McConnell served in the Senate for four decades, and his 18-year tenure as a Senate party leader is the longest in US history.

A powerful GOP advocate, he is known for hardball tactics that helped shape a conservative majority Supreme Court, cut Obama-era regulations, and impose tax reforms, among other achievements.

McConnell’s departure comes amid straining relationships with President Donald Trump and other Republican party members. He also faced a series of health issues, including a fall and freezing episodes in 2023.