Author Topic: Sen. Mitch McConnell won’t seek reelection in 2026, ending long tenure as Republican power broker (Read 820 times)

mystery-ak · « **on:** February 20, 2025, 12:04:47 pm »

Sen. Mitch McConnell won’t seek reelection in 2026, ending long tenure as Republican power broker
By BRUCE SCHREINER
Updated 10:57 AM CST, February 20, 2025

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell is announcing on Thursday that he won’t seek reelection next year, ending a decadeslong tenure as a power broker who championed conservative causes but ultimately ceded ground to the fierce GOP populism of President Donald Trump.

McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history, chose his 83rd birthday to share his decision not to run for another term in Kentucky and to retire when his current term ends. He informed The Associated Press of his decision before he was set to address colleagues in a speech on the Senate floor.

His announcement begins the epilogue of a storied career as a master strategist, one in which he helped forge a conservative Supreme Court and steered the Senate through tax cuts, presidential impeachment trials and fierce political fights.

“Seven times, my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate,” McConnell said in prepared remarks provided in advance to the AP. “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.”

more
https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-senate-retirement-34c79ef12bf62d14cb71d3c393f23a83

libertybele · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2025, 12:05:53 pm »

Praise the Lord!

dfwgator · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2025, 12:06:31 pm »

Why the wait?

Wingnut · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2025, 12:08:23 pm »

About time to put that dog-faced pony soldier out to pasture.

240B · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2025, 12:22:42 pm »

Reelection next year?
Based on his recent copious medical episodes, it is questionable whether he will be alive next year.

DefiantMassRINO · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2025, 12:38:31 pm »

Stairs and time are Mitch's greatest enemies, now.

catfish1957 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2025, 12:53:49 pm »

Whoop! Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!

mystery-ak · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2025, 01:00:39 pm »

Quote from: dfwgator on February 20, 2025, 12:06:31 pm

Why the wait?

Dem governor?

240B · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2025, 01:05:30 pm »

Those hardcore holdouts will only ever leave their office feet first. I will NEVER leave. You will have to drag me out of here.

The founders who formed government never expected anyone to 'want' to stay in office. For them it was like jury-duty. You have to leave your home and estate for while to do a term in public service. It was a pain in the ass for people to have to do when Congress started. They could not imagine anyone ever doing it for life. They did not include term-limits because for them limits were not necessary. The original Congressmen couldn't wait to get back home and to live their normal life.

Then Congress discovered that they could vote their own salaries and benefits. That was the end of so-called 'public service' and the beginning of grifter life-long politicians getting super-fat and super-rich off the work and wealth of the people they supposedly 'represent'.

DefiantMassRINO · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2025, 01:12:43 pm »

When Massachusetts has a Repub Governor, the State Legislature passes a law to NOT have the Governor make a permanent replacement for US Senator.

When Massachusetts has a Dem Governor, the State Legislature passes a law to have the Governor make a permanent replacement for US Senator.

That's how Dems' 'democracy' works in the Soviet Socialist Republic of Dukakistan.

catfish1957 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2025, 02:02:27 pm »

Quote from: mystery-ak on February 20, 2025, 01:00:39 pm

Dem governor?

I actually looked it up, and though complicated Beshears does not pick senate replacements, except as nominees of the party of the outgoing senator.

Cut/pasted gist of the process:

Under the amended law, the governor now may only choose from three names recommended by the executive committee of the outgoing senator's state party, and must make that selection within 21 days of receiving the list from the party.

With both of Kentucky's senators currently being Republican, the choosing of those three nominees would be up to the executive committee of the Republican Party of Kentucky, which is made up of 54 members.

Polly Ticks · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2025, 02:12:10 pm »

Everybody knew this was coming. He's not even pretending to represent the majority of his constituents any more.

Happily, the KY legislature recently pulled any teeth Beshear may have had in choosing a replacement.

rustynail · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2025, 02:27:37 pm »

He voted for Kash.

Fishrrman · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2025, 06:19:26 pm »

Not leaving until 2026 ???

Hey, Mitch...
Bob's got a message for ya:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPYmDaeTaAE

Wingnut · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2025, 06:27:16 pm »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2L3UzM_FfE

Bigun · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2025, 09:34:15 am »

https://twitter.com/Rothbard1776/status/1892655780605645080

IsailedawayfromFR · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2025, 02:39:00 pm »

Quote from: catfish1957 on February 20, 2025, 02:02:27 pm

I actually looked it up, and though complicated Beshears does not pick senate replacements, except as nominees of the party of the outgoing senator.

Cut/pasted gist of the process:

Under the amended law, the governor now may only choose from three names recommended by the executive committee of the outgoing senator's state party, and must make that selection within 21 days of receiving the list from the party.

With both of Kentucky's senators currently being Republican, the choosing of those three nominees would be up to the executive committee of the Republican Party of Kentucky, which is made up of 54 members.

That's big news, as I had thought like other states, Kentucky's governor has the sole power to pick who he likes, just like the way grifter Lisa Murkowski was appointed by her father, the Alaskan governor.

But how strong really is that GOP state party, as it supports not just Rand Paul but McConnell over the years, and failed to get a Republican in as Governor last time around?

Having said that, tough to believe anyone in the GOP would be worse to have there than McConnell, the almost dead turtle.

Bigun · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2025, 02:44:13 pm »

Quote from: IsailedawayfromFR on February 21, 2025, 02:39:00 pm

That's big news, as I had thought like other states, Kentucky's governor has the sole power to pick who he likes, just like the way grifter Lisa Murkowski was appointed by her father, the Alaskan governor.

But how strong really is that GOP state party, as it supports not just Rand Paul but McConnell over the years, and failed to get a Republican in as Governor last time around?

Having said that, tough to believe anyone in the GOP would be worse to have there than McConnell, the almost dead turtle.

@IsailedawayfromFR @catfish1957 ALL of this recent back and forth matters not one whit until Mitch actually steps down or expires. As of now he has done neither as far as we know.

IsailedawayfromFR · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2025, 03:01:45 pm »

Quote from: Bigun on February 21, 2025, 02:44:13 pm

@IsailedawayfromFR @catfish1957 ALL of this recent back and forth matters not one whit until Mitch actually steps down or expires. As of now he has done neither as far as we know.

It makes me for one sleep easier because I had thought if he croaked or quit now it would certainly be a Democrat taking his place, and that would be worse than Mitch