Mitch McConnell Declares End of Congressional Journey: Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2026

In a heartfelt speech, McConnell reflects on his legacy and calls for responsibility amidst growing executive power.

US Senator Mitch McConnell, who has become a defining figure in Senate politics over the past 40 years, has announced he will not run for re-election in 2026. The 83-year-old politician, who served as the Senate's longest-serving party leader, recently stepped down from his leadership role due to health concerns. Despite previously championing much of Donald Trump's policies, McConnell has increasingly distinguished himself as a critic of the former president, particularly as he prepares for retirement.

"I have some unfinished business to attend to," he stated while addressing fellow senators in his official farewell. McConnell's message emphasized the need for senators to maintain their constitutional powers in the presence of a presidency seeking to expand its reach significantly. Notably, he has opposed several of Trump's key appointments, including nominees like Pete Hegseth for defense secretary and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, asserting the vital role of Congress as a balanced entity against executive authority.

During a long and eventful career, McConnell gained a reputation as a master strategist, using legislative rules to maneuver around opposition effectively. One of his defining moments was successfully blocking President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee in 2016, paving the way for Trump's appointment of a conservative judge, which has led to significant legal shifts concerning abortion rights and presidential powers.

Post the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, McConnell's relationship with Trump soured further, although he chose not to vote for the president's impeachment. In response to current events, he has taken a firm stance in favor of US support for Ukraine, diverging from the isolationist sentiments prevalent among Trump's supporters.

McConnell's legacy is laden with controversy, as he has often modified Senate norms to push through a conservative agenda. Yet, as he prepares to depart from office, he reiterated the necessity of preserving the integrity of the Senate as an institution, expressing hope for its endurance. "I assure my colleagues I will depart with the great hope of the endurance - the endurance - of the Senate as an institution," he concluded, receiving a standing ovation from his peers.