Addison Mitchell McConnell

Republican senior Senator of Kentucky

Senator
Kentucky
January 3, 1985 - January 3, 1991
Senator
Kentucky
January 3, 1991 - January 3, 1997
Senator
Kentucky
January 7, 1997 - January 3, 2003
Senator
Kentucky
January 7, 2003 - January 3, 2009
Senator
Kentucky
January 6, 2009 - January 3, 2015
Senator
Kentucky
January 6, 2015 - January 3, 2021
Senator
Kentucky
January 3, 2021 - January 3, 2027

202-224-2541

@McConnellPress

mcconnell.senate.gov

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Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1942 (82 years old)

Birthday

Has served as Senate Minority Leader since 2021 and previously from 2007 to 2015
Served as Senate Majority Leader from 2015 to 2021
Longest-serving senator in Kentucky’s history, having been in office since 1985
Known for conservative political positions but was considered a pragmatist and moderate Republican early in his career
Led opposition to stricter campaign finance laws, notably in the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court ruling
Worked to withhold Republican support for major initiatives during the Obama administration, including blocking many judicial nominees
During the Trump administration, played a key role in passing significant legislation and confirming a record number of federal appeals court judges
Criticized Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and deemed him “practically and morally responsible” for the January 6 Capitol attack, despite voting to acquit in the impeachment trial
Listed by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2015, 2019, and 2023
Announced stepping down as Senate Republican Conference Leader in 2024 but will serve out his current Senate term
Born in Alabama, grew up in nearby Athens, Alabama, and moved to Louisville, Kentucky, during his youth
Overcame polio at a young age
Graduated from the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky College of Law
Briefly served in the U.S. Army Reserve before being medically discharged
Began his political career as a legislative assistant and later served as Deputy United States Assistant Attorney General under President Gerald Ford
Elected Jefferson County Judge/Executive before his election to the U.S. Senate
Shifted from moderate to conservative positions over his political career
Known for his strategic use of the filibuster and for being a skilled political strategist and tactician
Has been involved in significant legislative and judicial actions, including the confirmation of three Supreme Court justices during the Trump administration
Married to Elaine Chao, who served as Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush and Secretary of Transportation under President Donald Trump