Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving party leader in Senate history, announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election in 2026 — bringing an end to a political career that many argue has long overstayed its welcome.
McConnell’s departure comes as a staggering 87% of Americans support congressional term limits, according to a 2023 Pew Research poll. His nearly four-decade reign in Washington epitomizes exactly what voters want to change: entrenched career politicians clinging to power for decades while the country demands fresh leadership.
In a farewell floor speech on his 83rd birthday, McConnell (R-Ky.) reflected on his political journey, tracing his rise from an intern for former Sen. John Sherman Cooper (R-Ky.) to leading Senate Republicans for 18 years.
“Seven times, my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate. Every day in between I’ve been humbled by the trust they’ve placed in me to do their business right here,” McConnell said.
“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.”
McConnell revealed he made his decision last year and had already informed his colleagues after stepping down as Senate leader following the 2024 election.
First elected in 1984, McConnell witnessed the transformation of the Republican Party — from President Reagan’s pro-America, limited-government conservatism to President Trump’s America First movement.
“Here every debate over agriculture or infrastructure or education or taxes is downstream of the obligations of national security,” he declared. “Every question of policy here at home is contingent on our duty to provide for the common defense.”
“Thanks to Ronald Reagan’s determination, the work of strengthening American hard power was well underway when I arrived in the Senate,” McConnell added.
“But since then, we’ve allowed that power to atrophy. And today, a dangerous world threatens to outpace the work of rebuilding it. So, lest any of our colleagues still doubt my intentions for the remainder of my term: I have some unfinished business to attend to.”
Despite his long tenure, McConnell’s most lasting legacy may be his reshaping of the U.S. Supreme Court. He secured a conservative majority by pushing through three Trump-nominated justices — after blocking President Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland.
“I certainly didn’t expect to have three Supreme Court justices,” McConnell told the New York Times in 2020.
“At the risk of tooting my own horn, look at the majority leaders since [Lyndon Johnson] and find another one who was able to do something as consequential as this.”
But McConnell’s relationship with Trump soured over the 45th president’s election fraud claims and the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Since then, he has opposed some of Trump’s cabinet picks in the 47th administration, a move that has further distanced him from the Republican base.
“To the disappointment of my critics, I’m still here on the job,” McConnell boasted in his final remarks, signaling he intends to wield influence until his very last day.
McConnell also expressed gratitude to his wife, Elaine Chao, who served as Trump’s transportation secretary during his first term, calling her “the most seasoned campaign aide in modern history” and praising her “leadership and wise counsel.”
“Her devotion to me and to Kentucky is a lot more than I deserve,” he added.
Throughout his decades in Washington, McConnell has faced health issues — from childhood polio to more recent falls and alarming freeze-ups. However, he notably omitted any mention of his declining health in his farewell speech.
Within minutes of his announcement, former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a McConnell protégé turned outsider, launched his campaign for the soon-to-be-vacant seat — ushering in a new chapter in Kentucky politics.
McConnell’s retirement points to a reality that Americans have been demanding for years: It’s time to break the cycle of lifelong politicians. With nearly 9 in 10 voters supporting term limits, McConnell’s departure isn’t just a personal decision — it’s a long-overdue step toward a government that actually represents the people.
Do you support term limits for politicians? Let us know in the comments!
Term Limits! Absolutely! It’s a concept way overdue. This would solve so many problems that exist in DC. Politicians should not be beholden to donors or special interests. Let’s get back to representatives representing “We The People.” It’s beyond outrageous what’s come to light, thx to DJT and Elon Musk and DOGE. All this spending – a million here, a billion there – has to stop. Where’s the accountability? NONE! We have a right to know who is spending our tax dollars, for what, and where, and why. Any bill brought up for a vote must not exceed one page. If a majority of American Citizens want Term Limits, we should have them. This gravy train entitlement to hardworking taxpaying American Citizens dollars MUST STOP. We did not sign up to enrich our representatives thru our taxes. Perhaps we need a national referendum and/or a special election to put Term Limits on a ballot. These goniffs in Congress will fight this with everything that they’ve got so as not to have turn off the tax dollar spigot that provides them with a “lifestyle”.
Yes, I do support term limits, by the use of the vote. If the people of a state don’t want a particular person to fill a senate or representative seat then they should vote them out. If they want to be represented by that person then they should have the right to vote them in. It is what we mean by a representative government. It truly is the responsibility of the people of that state, and only of that state, to determine who and for how long a person holds a senate or representative seat. If the people of that state are stupid enough to keep voting in an idiot for one of their states elected positions that is their right to do so.
I fully support term limits for congress. Presidents and state governor’s are limited to 2 terms. So should be congress. I also think the lifetime pay and benefits should be ended. At max they should not be on American payroll and benefits more than 2 years past the end of their term.
I;m still thinking we the people are responsible for voting ’em out . Do think ending pay and benefits after terms should be a thing . And all federals should be in the Social Security program and enrolled in 401s/etc. instead of the fat federal retirement deal.