Mitch McConnell Will Not Seek Reelection In 2026: What’s Next For Kentucky?

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Republican Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell announced Thursday, again, that he will not seek reelection in 2026.

McConnell told lawmakers in 2024 that he planned to retire in Jan. 2025. That deadline has now been pushed back to Nov. 2026, as he announced he will not be seeking reelection. “Seven times, my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate,” McConnell said in prepared remarks from the Senate floor on Feb. 20, his 83rd birthday. “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.” (RELATED: Mitch McConnell Accused Of Taking ‘Revenge’ On Trump With Cabinet Votes)

McConnell was first elected to office in 1984. He plans to serve out his term until Jan. 2027, according to Fox News. The Kentucky Sen. has suffered a series of health issues in recent years, including freezing during public statements. While many conservative influencers are championing the decision, we asked just a few days ago — why has McConnell waited so long to retire? We finally have an answer.

Focusing On The Future

“I am like many people who are passionate about this country, who have been frustrated with many things lacking in Mitch McConnell‘s leadership over the years. It has been very disheartening that he has stood with the Democrats on so many of President Trump‘s confirmations in the Senate this year. However, I will always be grateful for his relentless stand to fight for originalists who believe in the constitution of the United States on the Federal Court,” said Million Voices’ founder John Graves.

“Had he not stood firm in the lead up to the 2016 election on Scalia’s replacement, we would’ve had a liberal Supreme Court justice and Donald Trump would not have been the president in 2016. Hillary Clinton would have been President.

“More voters than Trump’s margin of victory made their decision based on not wanting Hillary to appoint a leftist to replace the Constitutional stalwart Scalia. Had McConnell not moved swiftly after Justice Ginsburg’s departure before the end of Trump’s first term as President, we would not have had a stronger Supreme Court.

“Many times in life, and especially in the political arena, we have a choice to focus on the things that we are frustrated [about] with [our] leaders, and yet we can choose to be grateful for the contributions that they have made. The tension between President Trump and Mitch McConnell has been well documented. But I like to remind people that it took both of them to transform the Supreme Court of the United States back to a more constitutional Court. 

“Many people are calling for Mitch McConnell‘s resignation now and they do not understand that a Democrat Kentucky governor would replace his Senate seat. It is much better for the people of Kentucky to elect a strong leader to the Senate next year. We will be working tirelessly to help educate the people of Kentucky just like we will in every key Senate race in 2026 to continue the good work that’s begun in our country this year.”

Why McConnell’s Retirement Is So Important

Contrary to popular opinion, it is never too soon to start planning for the midterms post-presidential election. The direction of the midterms will ultimately decide the future of the country, as it will either stall or speed-up President Donald Trump’s administrative agenda for the nation. This is why McConnell’s retirement from the Senate is so important.

Kentucky voters will have a lot of big decisions to make between now and Nov. 2026, so we’ll be sure to bring you as much information as possible on your future candidates. Are there any lawmakers or leaders who you think would represent Kentucky well in the Senate? Tell us about them today! Email [email protected] with your comments (always private).

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