After serving as a Senator in Kentucky since 1985, Sen. Mitch McConnell will not be running in the 2026 election — ending a record-breaking 40-year career in legislation.
On Feb. 20, Sen. McConnell announced to the Senate floor that he would not seek reelection in 2026. He served as a prominent figure for the Republican Party during the Reagan presidency.
With his career coming to an end, Sen. McConnell warned many Senate members of President Donald Trump’s actions and has been a prominent figure in voting against his appointed nominees.
“Thanks to Ronald Reagan’s determination, the work of strengthening America’s hard power was well underway when I arrived in the Senate, but since then, we’ve allowed that power to atrophy, and today, a dangerous world threatens to outer space the work of rebuilding it,” McConnell said in his speech on Feb. 20. “So, lest any of our colleagues still doubt my intentions for the remainder of my term, I have some unfinished business to attend to.”
This announcement comes after concerns regarding McConnell’s health. The 83-year-old gained attention in 2023 after he fell during a dinner event in Washington, D.C., resulting in a hospital visit and a diagnosed concussion.
Months after the event, when Sen. McConnell was cleared as healed, he seemingly froze when speaking to reporters at two separate events. Unable to talk, many state officials and citizens who witnessed the events showed concern over his health.
“What struck me is that his aids don’t seem much surprised by this,” Neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta said after clarifying that his actions reflect symptoms of “freezing.” This refers to a neurological problem that may cause someone to suddenly stop speaking and moving for a short period of time.
“There is a long list of possibilities here,” Dr. Gupta said when explaining possible reasons for the freezing.
On Feb. 5 of this year, Sen. McConnell’s health concerns continued to escalate when he fell down the stairs of the Capitol building and during a conference lunch. Later that day, he was spotted leaving the building in a wheelchair.
“The lingering effects of polio in his left leg will not disrupt his regular schedule of work,” McConnell spokesperson Stephanie Penn said in a statement after assuring that he was fine.
Sen. McConnell was diagnosed with an acute form of polio at 2 years old, from which he received therapy for two years. Since the diagnosis, McConnell has been left with a weakened left leg.
Citizens are beginning to ask who will fill his seat in the Senate. Potential candidates have gone to social media to express their interest in the role.
Former state Attorney General and aide to McConnell, politician Daniel Cameron announced his run for Senate after McConnell announced his retirement.
“Kentucky, it’s time for a new generation of leadership in the U.S. Senate. Let’s do this,” Daniel Cameron said in a post announcing his candidacy on X.
While McConnell has until 2027 to serve out the rest of his term, he is still adamant that much work is still left to be done in the Senate.
