Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced on Thursday that he will not seek reelection and will only continue serving until his current term ends in January of 2027.
During a Thursday speech from the floor of the U.S. Senate, McConnell said, “I’ve never liked calling too much attention to today’s date, February 20, but I figured my birthday would be as good a day as any to share with our colleagues a decision I made last year.”
McConnell explained that while representing the state of Kentucky has been “the honor of a lifetime,” he “will not seek this honor an eighth time.” The Republican senator added, “My current term in the Senate will be my last.”
According to The Associated Press, the 83-year-old Republican lawmaker was first elected in 1984 and became the longest-serving leader of a political party in the U.S. Senate after serving as the leader of the Republican Party in the Senate for 18 years.
READ MORE: Video: Mitch McConnell freezes again during press conference
“During my time in the Senate, I’ve only really answered to two constituencies: the Republican Conference and the people of Kentucky,” McConnell said. “Over the years, the first group trusted me to coordinate campaigns, to count votes, to steer committees, to take the majority, and on nine occasions, to lead our conference. Serving as the Republican leader was a rare and, yes, rather specific, childhood dream, and just about a year ago, I thanked my colleagues for their confidence, which allowed me to fulfill it.”
While McConnell said he remains “deeply, deeply grateful” to have had the privilege to lead the Republican Party in the Senate for many years, the Republican lawmaker emphasized that he has an “even deeper allegiance and even longer-standing gratitude” for the people of Kentucky.
“Seven times, my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate,” McConnell said. “Every day in between, I’ve been humbled by the trust they’ve placed in me to do their business right here.”
McConnell’s decision to not run for reelection comes after the Kentucky senator appeared to freeze on more than one occasion while giving public comments over the past couple of years.
Fox News reported that McConnell’s latest health scare came as the Republican lawmaker fell while leaving the Senate chamber earlier this month. The outlet noted that McConnell also fell in December during a Republican luncheon.
Last February, McConnell announced that he would be stepping down from his position as Senate minority leader following the 2024 presidential election. McConnell was replaced by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) earlier this year.
