McConnell Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2026

On his 83rd birthday, Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell announced he would not seek another term in the United States Senate. 

McConnell, who is the longest-serving Senate party leader in the United States Senate, announced his decision to retire from the Senate when his term ends in January 2027, clearing the way for an already bubbling race to replace him.

His decision to retire, which he said he came to a year ago, also serves as a bookend to a career that began more than four decades ago when he was first elected in 1984. McConnell stepped back from leadership in the body one year ago following the November 2024 election.

“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,” McConnell said on Thursday.

He made clear that he has “unfinished business to attend to,” in the Senate, including the endurance of the Senate as an institution.

 “The Senate is still equipped for work of great consequence,” he said, ending his speech. “And, to the disappointment of my critics, I’m still here on the job.”