U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) will step down from Senate leadership in November, having served in that capacity longer than any senator in history, The Advocate noted.
McConnell has been a senator since 1985 and has been either majority or minority leader since 2007. He said he would serve out his Senate term, which ends in 2027, "albeit from a different seat in the chamber."
McConnell has a poor record on LGBTQ+ rights, with mostly zeroes on the Human Rights Campaign's Congressional Scorecard. He has also used his leadership position to block progressive legislation, such as the Equality Act.
In addition, he voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and hate-crimes legislation.'
Axios noted that a trio called the "three Johns"GOP Sens. John Barrasso, John Cornyn and John Thuneare being eyed as successors. However, the shadow of former President Trump looms large. Of the trio, Thune was the last to endorse Trump, just a couple days before McConnell's announcement. Barasso has a strong relationship with the former president.
Andrew Davis