CNN
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Former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell will not be re-electioned in 2026, he announced in a speech on the Senate floor Thursday morning.
The announcement marks a major moment in Republican politics. The Kentucky Senator, who turned 83 on Thursday, is the party’s leading figure and the longest Senate leader despite facing health issues in recent years. Sometimes McConnell clashed with President Donald Trump, and Kentucky Republicans opposed the isolationist tensions within the Republican Party today. McConnell is a solid supporter of Ukrainian aid and voted against confirming more Trump candidates than other Republicans.
In his speech, McConnell said the Senate still has “unfinished business”, arguing that it must fight for national security priorities and greater resources for defense.
“Thanks to Ronald Reagan’s determination, when I arrived in the Senate, the work to strengthen America’s hard power was going well, but since then we have allowed it to atrophy. It warned McConnell: “I have an unfinished business enough so that none of our colleagues still doubt my intentions for the rest of my term.”
McConnell said he would leave the Senate in hoping to leave the Senate once his term ends. There are several reasons for pessimism, but the strength of the Senate is not one of them. ”
The announcement of his retirement will begin the Kentucky Senate race. GOP MP Andy Barr said he was running and posted on Thursday that he would make a decision “quickly” to X.
In his speech, McConnell thanked his constituents and spoke about the support he received over the years, including his mother’s determination to confirm that he was treated for polio as a child. .
“My fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate seven times. Every day during that time I am humbled by the trust they place within me to do their business. Ours Representing the Federation was a once-in-a-lifetime honor. I will not seek this honor for the eighth time. My current term in the Senate will be my last,” he said. .
The former leader thanked his wife, former Transport Secretary Elaine Chao, and called her “the ultimate teammate and familiarity of the past 32 years.”
After the speech, McConnell received a standing ovation from his colleagues on either side of the aisle.
McConnell, who left him with weak left leg in his childhood, has faced several notable health incidents in recent years. In 2019, he broke his shoulder after collapsed at his Kentucky home. In 2023, he was admitted to hospital with a concussion after another fall and was appointed to an inpatient rehabilitation facility for physical therapy.
His most public health episode came a few months later in July 2023, when he appeared to be frozen while speaking at a press conference at Capitol. He left the podium for a few minutes before returning and claiming he was “good,” the senator said he “feeled the head of light.” But about a month later, he went through an episode of similar appearance while talking to the Kentucky press.
Since these events, McConnell has collapsed several times at the Capitol. Once in December 2024, the wrist and face were split into pieces, and twice earlier this month. After his recent waterfall, McConnell was in a wheelchair through the Capitol, placing his boots on his feet.
John Tune, the Senate majority leader who took over McConnell in the role of Senate GOP leader this year, has issued a statement praising McConnell and thanking him for his work in the Senate.
“Senator McConnell’s legacy is one of the incredible services to the Senate, Kentucky and our country,” Thune said. “Decades of tireless work, mastery of Senate procedures, commitment to institutions, and commitment to the rule of law have shaped the course of American governance for future generations.”
This story has been updated with additional details.
