Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell will step down as GOP chief in November, the Kentucky Republican introduced on the Senate ground Wednesday, marking the tip of an period on Capitol Hill and establishing a high-stakes race for his successor.
He’ll proceed to serve within the US Senate however will permit “the following era of management” to take the helm of the Senate Republican Convention.
McConnell, who turned 82 final week, mentioned, “the tip of my contributions are nearer than I favor.”
McConnell has lengthy been a towering determine in Washington, DC, and has made historical past over the course of his political tenure. In 2023, McConnell grew to become the longest-serving Senate occasion chief in historical past.
“As I’ve been enthusiastic about after I would ship some information to the Senate, I all the time imagined a second after I had whole readability and peace in regards to the sundown of my work,” McConnell mentioned in his ground remarks. “A second when I’m sure I’ve helped protect the beliefs I so strongly consider. That day arrived immediately.”
He obtained a standing ovation on the finish of his remarks, and Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, approached him afterwards to shake his hand. He was adopted by lots of his colleagues from each side of the aisle, receiving a hug from Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
McConnell has suffered a string of high-profile well being incidents over the previous 12 months.
In March, he was handled for a concussion after a fall at a lodge in Washington, DC.
A number of months later, McConnell skilled episodes the place he briefly appeared to freeze up on two separate events whereas talking with reporters, incidents that sparked questions and concern over the Kentucky Republican’s well being and health to guide the Senate Republican convention.
McConnell on Wednesday mentioned his determination to step down got here following the loss of life of his spouse Elaine Chao’s youngest sister, Angela, in a visitors accident earlier this month.
“As a few of it’s possible you’ll know, this has been a very troublesome time for my household. We tragically misplaced Elaine’s youthful sister, Angela, only a few weeks in the past. If you lose a cherished one, significantly at a younger age, there’s a sure introspection that accompanies the grieving course of. Maybe it’s God’s method of reminding you of your individual life’s journey to reprioritize the influence of the world that we are going to all inevitably depart behind,” he mentioned.
He thanked his spouse of 31 years, calling her the “love of my life” and that “I’m eternally grateful to have her by my aspect.”
He completed his speech by assuring his critics that he was ready to be a thorn of their aspect for the remainder of his time as chief.
“I nonetheless have sufficient gasoline in my tank to totally disappoint my critics, and I intend to take action with all the keenness with which they’ve turn into accustomed,” he mentioned.
This story has been up to date with extra developments.
CNN’s Dana Bash and Kristin Wilson contributed to this report.