Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mitch McConnell
How Mitch McConnell built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Addison Mitchell McConnell III is a prominent American politician and retired attorney. He has served as a U.S. Senator from Kentucky since 1985, making him the longest-serving senator in the state's history. From 2007 to 2025, he led the Senate Republican Conference, holding positions as both minority and majority leader. Notably, he holds the record for the longest tenure as a Senate party leader in U.S. history (2015-2021).
1968: Legislative Assistant to Senator Cook
From 1968, McConnell worked as chief legislative assistant to Senator Marlow Cook in Washington, D.C.
1968: First Republican to win a statewide election in Kentucky
In 1968, Mitch McConnell was the first Republican to win a statewide election in Kentucky since 1968.
1970: End of Role as Legislative Assistant
In 1970, McConnell's tenure as chief legislative assistant to Senator Marlow Cook ended.
1971: Return to Louisville and Political Activities
In 1971, McConnell returned to Louisville, worked on Tom Emberton's unsuccessful campaign for governor, was disqualified from running for state legislature, worked for a law firm, and taught political science at the University of Louisville.
October 1974: Deputy Assistant Attorney General
In October 1974, McConnell returned to Washington to fill a position as Deputy Assistant Attorney General under President Ford.
1975: Acting Assistant Attorney General
In 1975, McConnell served as acting United States Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs under President Ford.
1977: Elected Jefferson County Judge/Executive
In 1977, McConnell was elected the Jefferson County judge/executive, the top political office in Jefferson County, Kentucky, defeating incumbent Democrat Todd Hollenbach III.
1981: Re-elected Jefferson County Judge/Executive
In 1981, McConnell was re-elected as the Jefferson County judge/executive, defeating Jim "Pop" Malone.
1984: Election to U.S. Senate
In 1984, McConnell was elected to the U.S. Senate, marking the end of his tenure as Jefferson County judge/executive.
1984: McConnell wins U.S. Senate election
In 1984, Mitch McConnell won the U.S. Senate election against incumbent Walter Dee Huddleston by a narrow margin of 3,437 votes.
1985: Elected to the Senate
In 1985, Mitch McConnell was elected as the senior United States Senator from Kentucky, a position he has held since.
1990: McConnell defeats Harvey I. Sloane
In 1990, Mitch McConnell faced former Louisville Mayor Harvey I. Sloane and won by 4.4%.
1996: McConnell defeats Steve Beshear
In 1996, Mitch McConnell defeated Steve Beshear by 12.6%, even as Bill Clinton narrowly carried the state.
1997: Chaired NRSC
From 1997, McConnell chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
February 12, 1999: Vote on Bill Clinton Impeachment
On February 12, 1999, McConnell was one of 50 senators who voted to convict and remove Bill Clinton from office during his impeachment trial.
2001: End of NRSC Chairmanship
In 2001, McConnell's tenure as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee ended.
2002: McConnell defeats Lois Combs Weinberg
In 2002, Mitch McConnell defeated Lois Combs Weinberg by 29.4% after running unopposed in the Republican primary.
2004: Lessons from Bush's Reelection
In 2004, McConnell observed how Democratic cooperation with the Bush administration on No Child Left Behind and Medicare Part D helped Bush's reelection, leading him to believe that obstruction and Republican unity were the optimal ways to ensure Republican gains.
2006: Elected Senate Minority Leader
In 2006, after Republicans lost control of the Senate, they elected McConnell minority leader.
2007: Senate Republican Conference Leader
In 2007, Mitch McConnell began his service as the leader of the Senate Republican Conference, holding the position until 2025.
2007: Support of Iraq War troop surge
In 2007, Mitch McConnell supported the Iraq War troop surge in public.
2008: McConnell defeats Bruce Lunsford
In 2008, Mitch McConnell defeated Bruce Lunsford by 6% in what was his closest contest since 1990.
June 2009: Response to Sotomayor's nomination
In June 2009, after Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor as associate justice, Mitch McConnell and Jeff Sessions opined that Sotomayor's 17 years as a federal judge would require lengthy review and advocated against Democrats hastening the confirmation process.
May 2010: Opposition to Elena Kagan's confirmation
In May 2010, after President Obama nominated Elena Kagan to succeed John Paul Stevens, Mitch McConnell expressed concerns about Kagan's independence from the White House. He announced his opposition to Kagan's confirmation, saying she was not forthcoming enough about her views on basic principles of American constitutional law.
2010: Opposition to stricter campaign finance laws
In 2010, Mitch McConnell led the opposition to stricter campaign finance laws, culminating in the Supreme Court ruling that partially overturned the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold).
2010: Citizens United v. FEC Decision
In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. FEC, which partially overturned the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold), was a culmination of McConnell's opposition to stricter campaign finance laws.
2013: Government shutdown
In 2013, the federal government shut down due to Congress's failure to enact legislation to fund it.
2014: McConnell defeats Alison Lundergan Grimes
In 2014, Mitch McConnell defeated Alison Lundergan Grimes in the general election, 56.2–40.7%.
2014: Vow to avoid debt default or government shutdown
In 2014, Mitch McConnell vowed that Republicans would not force the U.S. to default on its debt or shut down the government when stopgap funding measures were set to expire.
2014: Becoming Senate Majority Leader and blocking judicial appointments
In 2014, Republicans gained control of the Senate, and Mitch McConnell became majority leader. He then initiated a "near blockade" of Obama's judicial appointments, leading to fewer confirmations compared to previous administrations.
2014: Became Senate Majority Leader
In 2014, after Republicans took control of the Senate, McConnell became the Senate Majority Leader.
2015: Senate Majority Leader
In 2015, Mitch McConnell became the Senate Majority Leader, a position he held until 2021, making him the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history.
February 13, 2016: Refusal to consider Obama's Supreme Court nominee
On February 13, 2016, following the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Mitch McConnell stated that the Senate would not consider any Supreme Court nominee put forth by President Obama, arguing that the American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice.
March 16, 2016: Nomination of Merrick Garland and Senate refusal to act
On March 16, 2016, President Obama nominated Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. Under Mitch McConnell's direction, Senate Republicans refused to take any action on the nomination, which ultimately expired.
May 4, 2016: Endorsement of Donald Trump
On May 4, 2016, after Rand Paul withdrew from the presidential race, Mitch McConnell endorsed Donald Trump as the presumptive nominee.
August 2016: Statement on blocking Obama's Supreme Court nominee
In August 2016, Mitch McConnell stated that one of his proudest moments was telling Barack Obama that he would not fill the Supreme Court vacancy.
January 3, 2017: Expiration of Merrick Garland's nomination
On January 3, 2017, Merrick Garland's nomination to the Supreme Court expired with the end of the 114th Congress, due to the Senate's refusal to act under Mitch McConnell's direction.
January 2017: Nomination of Neil Gorsuch
In January 2017, President Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left after Scalia's death.
April 7, 2017: Confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court
On April 7, 2017, Neil Gorsuch's nomination to the Supreme Court was confirmed after Mitch McConnell eliminated the filibuster on Supreme Court nominees.
April 2017: Elimination of Filibuster for Supreme Court Nominations
In April 2017, Senate Republicans led by McConnell eliminated the filibuster for Supreme Court nominations to end debate on the nomination of Neil Gorsuch.
October 2017: Response to criticism for stalling Trump's legislation
In October 2017, after being blamed by Stephen Bannon and other Trump allies for stalling the Trump administration's legislation, Mitch McConnell cited Neil Gorsuch's confirmation to the Supreme Court as evidence that the Senate supported Trump's agenda.
2017: Passing of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
In 2017, as Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell led the passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
2017: Record for the number of circuit court judges confirmed
In 2017, the record for the number of circuit court judges confirmed during a president's first year was broken.
April 2018: Statement on Garland nomination decision
In April 2018, Mitch McConnell called the decision not to act on Merrick Garland's Supreme Court nomination "the most consequential decision I've made in my entire public career".
June 2018: Longest-Serving Senate Republican Leader
In June 2018, McConnell became the longest-serving Senate Republican leader in U.S. history.
July 2018: Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court
In July 2018, Donald Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace Anthony Kennedy as an associate justice of the Supreme Court. Mitch McConnell accused Democrats of creating an "extreme" distortion of Kavanaugh's record during his hearings.
July 2018: McConnell says border wall funding would likely wait until after midterms
In July 2018, Mitch McConnell stated that funding for the Mexico–United States border wall would likely have to wait until the midterms were over.
July 18, 2018: Record number of appeals court confirmations
On July 18, 2018, with Andy Oldham's Senate confirmation, Senate Republicans broke a record for largest number of appeals court judiciary confirmations during a president's first two years. Oldham became the 23rd appeals court judge confirmed in Trump's term.
September 2018: Allegations against Kavanaugh and McConnell's response
In September 2018, Christine Blasey Ford publicly alleged that Brett Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her in 1982. After it was reported that Democrats were investigating a second allegation against Kavanaugh, Mitch McConnell stated that Judge Kavanaugh would be voted on.
October 2018: Statement on potential Supreme Court vacancy in 2020
In October 2018, Mitch McConnell stated that if a Supreme Court vacancy were to occur in 2020, he would not repeat his 2016 decision to let the winner of the upcoming presidential election nominate a justice.
December 2018: Senate initially passes bill without wall funding
In December 2018, the Republican-controlled Senate unanimously passed an appropriations bill that did not include funding for the border wall, indicating potential approval from both the House and President Trump initially.
2018: Passing of Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act
In 2018, as Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell led the passing of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act.
May 2019: Confirmation of Gordon Hartogensis
In May 2019, Mitch McConnell's brother-in-law Gordon Hartogensis was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), with McConnell voting to confirm.
November 5, 2019: McConnell's comments on Trump's impeachment
On November 5, 2019, as the House of Representatives began public hearings on the impeachment of President Trump, Mitch McConnell stated that he was pretty sure how an impeachment trial would likely end and that it would not lead to a removal.
December 14, 2019: Coordination with White House on Trump's impeachment trial
On December 14, 2019, Mitch McConnell met with White House counsel Pat Cipollone and White House legislative affairs director Eric Ueland. Later that day, he stated that he would be in total coordination with the White House counsel's office for Trump's impeachment trial and that there was "no chance" the Senate would convict Trump and remove him from office.
December 17, 2019: Rejection of witnesses for Trump's impeachment trial
On December 17, 2019, Mitch McConnell rejected a request to call four witnesses for Trump's impeachment trial, stating that the Senate's role was to act as judge and jury, not to investigate. He also stated that he was not an impartial juror and that the process was political.
2019: Criticism of House Democratic legislation
In 2019, Nancy Pelosi criticized Mitch McConnell for withholding votes on measures passed by the Democratic-controlled House, including the For the People Act of 2019, the Equality Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act.
March 2020: Encouraging judges to retire
By March 2020, Mitch McConnell had contacted an unknown number of judges, encouraging them to retire before the 2020 election.
September 2020: Announcement to vote on Trump's Supreme Court nominee
In September 2020, after Ruth Bader Ginsburg died, Mitch McConnell announced that the Senate would vote on Trump's nominated replacement.
November 2020: McConnell elected to seventh term
In November 2020, Mitch McConnell was elected to his seventh term, defeating Amy McGrath by nearly 20 percentage points.
2020: Refusal to recognize Biden's victory in the 2020 election
Following the 2020 election where Joe Biden defeated Trump, Mitch McConnell initially refused to recognize Biden as the winner, avoiding repeating or contradicting Trump's voter fraud claims, but arguing Trump had the right to challenge the results, while celebrating Republican victories in Senate and House races.
2020: McConnell directs Senate Republicans in COVID-19 response packages
In 2020, McConnell directed Senate Republicans in negotiations for two COVID-19 response packages: the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 and the CARES Act. The CARES Act was the largest economic stimulus package in U.S. history.
January 12, 2021: Reported support for impeaching Trump
On January 12, 2021, it was reported that Mitch McConnell supported impeaching Trump for his role in inciting the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, believing it would make it easier for Republicans to purge the party of Trump and rebuild the party.
February 13, 2021: Vote to acquit Trump in impeachment trial
On February 13, 2021, Mitch McConnell voted to acquit Trump in his impeachment trial, stating that it was unconstitutional to convict a president who was no longer in office, despite earlier reports that he supported impeachment.
May 28, 2021: Vote against independent commission for January 6 attack
On May 28, 2021, Mitch McConnell voted against the creation of an independent commission to investigate the January 6 United States Capitol attack, after seeking to organize Republican senators to filibuster it.
October 2021: Assistance in passing debt ceiling extension
In October 2021, Mitch McConnell played a key role in passing a bill that extended the debt ceiling. He convinced 11 Republicans to vote with the Democrats, averting a potential default on United States debts.
2021: Senate Minority Leader
In 2021, Mitch McConnell became the Senate Minority Leader again, serving until 2025.
February 28, 2024: Announcement of Stepping Down
On February 28, 2024, McConnell announced he would step down as the Senate Republican Conference Leader in January 2025, but would serve the remainder of his Senate term.
2024: Stepping down as Senate Republican leader
In 2024, Mitch McConnell stepped down as Senate Republican leader, months before the 2024 United States elections. John Thune was elected to succeed him after Republicans regained the majority in the 2024 U.S. Senate elections.
January 2025: Stepping Down as Leader
In January 2025, Mitch McConnell will step down as the Senate Republican Conference Leader.
February 20, 2025: Retirement Announcement
On February 20, 2025, which was his 83rd birthday, McConnell announced he would not run for an eighth Senate term in 2026 and would retire from politics due to increasing concerns about his health.
2025: End of Senate Republican Conference Leadership
In 2025, Mitch McConnell's tenure as the leader of the Senate Republican Conference concluded.
2026: Planned Retirement
In 2026, McConnell plans to retire from politics after deciding not to run for an eighth Senate term.
2027: Retirement announcement
In 2027, Mitch McConnell has announced that he will retire at the end of his term, when he will be 84 years old.
Mentioned in this timeline
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an American lawyer and Supreme Court...
Coronaviruses are a family of RNA viruses affecting mammals and...
The Affordable Care Act ACA also known as Obamacare is...
Washington D C the capital of the United States is...
Merrick Garland is an American lawyer and jurist He served...
Trending
37 minutes ago Patriots trade down scenarios: Saints potential offer, Scheim's suggestion and unrealistic proposal
37 minutes ago Harvey Weinstein Retrial: Facing New Sex Crimes Charges in New York Court.
37 minutes ago Cate Blanchett Considers Retirement From Acting at 55: A Hollywood Legend's Potential Exit
2 hours ago Buffalo Bills Gear Up for 2025 NFL Draft: Mock Draft Insights
2 hours ago MLB Celebrates Jackie Robinson Day; Nike Releases Cortez, Players Wear Special Cleats.
2 hours ago Sheinelle Jones' Absence from TODAY: Crew Updates and Prayers for Recovery
Popular
Doug Ford is a Canadian politician and businessman currently serving...
Justin Trudeau served as the rd Prime Minister of Canada...
The Real ID Act of is a US federal law...
Peter Navarro is an American economist and author known for...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Bernard Bernie Sanders is a prominent American politician currently serving...