Mitch McConnell Won’t Run for Reelection

The longtime former Republican leader plans to retire after next year’s elections.

Mitch McConnell

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Sen. Mitch McConnell plans to retire and will not seek reelection next year, he announced on Thursday.

“Representing our commonwealth has been the honor of a lifetime,” he said on the Senate floor. “I will not seek this honor an eighth time. My current term in the Senate will be my last.”

Following a 30 second round of applause requested by Sen. Thom Tillis, McConnell was embraced by Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. As the three of them stood together, McConnell appeared to joke, “These are the new moderates.”