Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced on Wednesday his plans to step down from his position in the coming months, prompting speculation about a possible replacement.
The three contenders most likely to vie to replace McConnell include Senator John Thune of South Dakota, Senator John Cornyn of Texas and Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming. Others across social media have pointed to Florida Senator Rick Scott and Montana Senator Steve Daines as other possible contenders.
Ron Filipkowski of MeidasTouch wrote: "Best case scenario for Republican leader in the Senate: John Thune. Worst case scenario: Rick Scott."
Radio host Jesse Kelly posted, "When you see McConnell is stepping down but then you remember his replacement (Thune or Cornyn) will be as bad or worse."
Lawyer and Manhattan Community Board 1 member Jess Coleman wrote, "Let's be clear about what's happening here: Mitch McConnell, one of the most effective reactionary politicians in modern history, no longer has a future in the Republican Party because he supported things like giving aid to Ukraine. His replacement will be worse."
Newsweek reached out to the press offices for Thune and Cornyn for comment.
The Context
McConnell said during a speech on the Senate floor on Wednesday: "To serve Kentucky in the Senate has been the honor of my life; to lead my Republican colleagues has been the highest privilege. So, I stand before you today, Mr. President, my colleagues, to say this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate."
The Senate minority leader continued, "I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, however. I'll complete my job; my colleagues have given me until they select a new leader in November, and they take the helm next January. I'll finish the job the people of Kentucky hired me to do as well, albeit from a different seat."
What We Know
McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, recently turned 82 years old. His current term in the Senate is set to end in January 2027.
He previously faced calls to resign after appearing to freeze on two separate occasions while speaking to reporters. In August, a spokesperson for McConnell's office said the Senate minority leader felt "momentarily lightheaded and paused."
"I'm fine. I'm completely recovered, and I'm just fine," McConnell told CBS's Face the Nation in October 2023. "I'm in good shape, completely recovered, and back on the job."
Views
Republican Senator Ron Johnson, who has been critical of McConnell in the past, told Newsweek on Wednesday that he thought the minority leader's speech was very "gracious" and "heartfelt."
When asked about a potential replacement, Johnson told Newsweek: "I appreciate the fact he's announcing it now to give the conference time to have the very serious discussion. What is our conference about? What is our mission?"
"I hope we can find a leader that's aligned with what that mission is. And it's been an important mission we need to be the elected conservative representatives of Republicans pushing back on what is happening this country," Johnson said, adding that senators will have to have a discussion on who a specific replacement could be.
Republican Senator Steve Daines was also asked by Newsweek his thoughts of his name being floated as a potential replacement.
"It's time to reflect on great accomplishments Leader McConnell, during his tenure as the longest serving leader in Senate history, and think about what he did to transform the courts," Daines told Newsweek. "What he's done in terms of getting the biggest tax cuts in U.S. history... and this is the time to reflect on Leader McConnell's legacy and accomplishments."
Democratic Senator John Fetterman told Newsweek on Wednesday that while he expects to have political differences with a possible McConnell replacement, he noted that "we really can never become the Jerry Springer show over in the House and we have to produce actual governance."
"This is not entertainment," Fetterman said.
What's Next
As McConnell noted in his speech, he will continue to serve as the Senate minority leader until November, when members will be required to choose a replacement.
Update 2/28/24, 1:23 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 2/28/24, 2:15 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 2/28/24, 3:06 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 2/28/24, 3:38 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 3/1/24, 8:37 a.m. ET: This article was updated to clarify one of McConnell's quotes.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Matthew Impelli is a Newsweek staff writer based in New York. His focus is reporting social issues and crime. In ... Read more
