Mitch McConnell Announces Retirement, Ending Four-Decade Senate Career

The longest-serving Senate Republican leader reflects on his legacy as he prepares to leave a sharply divided and transformed political landscape.

Mitch McConnell, the 83-year-old senator from Kentucky, announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, marking the end of his 40-year Senate career.
McConnell played a pivotal role in shaping the modern Republican Party, including his instrumental efforts in securing conservative judicial appointments and tax reforms.
His tenure saw significant polarization, with critics labeling him an obstructionist who prioritized partisan victories over legislative progress.
McConnell's relationship with Donald Trump was marked by mutual distrust, despite his support for Trump’s judicial nominees and legislative agenda during his presidency.
As a staunch defender of Ukraine against Russian aggression, McConnell's foreign policy stance often clashed with Trump’s isolationist approach.