WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Thursday he would not run for reelection to Congress.
McConnell, whose name is synonymous with Kentucky and Kentucky politics, actually was born in Alabama.
McConnell attended public schools in Louisville, Ky. before graduating from the University of Louisville in 1964. He went on to graduate from University of Kentucky Law School and was admitted to the Kentucky bar the same year (1967).
According to his biography, roles he held after graduationg from law school included:
- Legislative assistant to Senator Marlow Cook, 1968-1970
- Deputy Assistant United States Attorney for Legislative Affairs, 1974-1975
- Acting Assistant Attorney General, 1975
- Judge-executive of Jefferson County, Ky., 1978-1985
McConnell first was elected to the Senate in 1984, winning reelection after reelection to become Kentucky’s longest-serving U.S. senator. Additoinally, the Republican has served as Republican party whip (2003-2007); minority leader (2007-2015; 2021-2025); majority leader (2015-2021); chair, National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee (One Hundred Fifth through One Hundred Sixth Congresses); chair, Select Committee on Ethics (One Hundred Fourth Congress), Committee on Rules and Administration (One Hundred Sixth, One Hundred Seventh [January 20, 2001-June 6, 2001], and One Hundred Nineteenth Congresses).
His current term as senator is set to expire in 2027.
Although McConnell’s name is synonymous with Kentucky and Kentucky politics, he actually was born in Alabama on Feb. 20, 1942, making him 83 years old on the day he said he would not seeking reelection.
McConnell is married to Secretary Elaine Chao, who is the 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Previously, Chao served for eight years as President George W. Bush’s Secretary of Labor. She also is a former president of the United Way of America and director of the Peace Corps.
