Mitch McConnell's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Mitch McConnell.

Addison Mitchell McConnell III is a prominent American politician and attorney currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Kentucky since 1985. He holds the distinction of being Kentucky's longest-serving senator. Notably, McConnell served as the leader of the Senate Republican Conference from 2007 to 2025, holding positions as both minority and majority leader. His tenure as Senate party leader from 2015 to 2021 marks him as the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1968: First Republican to win statewide election since 1968

In 1968, McConnell was the first Republican to win a statewide election in Kentucky since 1968.

1977: Election as Jefferson County Judge/Executive

In 1977, Mitch McConnell was elected the Jefferson County judge/executive, defeating incumbent Democrat Todd Hollenbach III.

1981: Re-election as Jefferson County Judge/Executive

In 1981, Mitch McConnell was re-elected as Jefferson County judge/executive against Jefferson County Commissioner Jim "Pop" Malone.

1984: Elected to the U.S. Senate

In 1984, Mitch McConnell was elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating incumbent Walter Dee Huddleston by a narrow margin of 3,437 votes.

1990: Senate re-election victory

In 1990, Mitch McConnell was re-elected to the Senate, defeating Harvey I. Sloane by 4.4%.

1996: Senate re-election victory

In 1996, Mitch McConnell defeated Steve Beshear by 12.6% in the Senate race.

2002: Senate re-election victory

In 2002, Mitch McConnell was unopposed in the Republican primary. He then defeated Lois Combs Weinberg by 29.4%.

2008: Senate re-election victory

In 2008, Mitch McConnell defeated Bruce Lunsford by 6% in his closest contest since 1990.

March 1, 2013: Induction into Sons of the American Revolution

On March 1, 2013, Mitch McConnell was inducted into the Sons of the American Revolution.

2014: Senate re-election victory

In 2014, Mitch McConnell faced Matt Bevin in the Republican primary and won with 60.2%. He defeated Alison Lundergan Grimes in the general election, 56.2–40.7%.

2015: Listed as one of Time's 100 most influential people

In 2015, Time listed Mitch McConnell as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2015: Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2015, Time listed Mitch McConnell as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

April 7, 2017: Gorsuch Confirmed after Filibuster Eliminated

On April 7, 2017, Neil Gorsuch's nomination to the Supreme Court was confirmed after Mitch McConnell eliminated the filibuster on Supreme Court nominees.

2017: Passing of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

In 2017, McConnell led the passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as Senate majority leader.

2017: Record Broken for Circuit Court Judges Confirmed

In 2017, the record for the number of circuit court judges confirmed during a president's first year was broken.

2017: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Passed

In 2017, under Mitch McConnell's leadership, the Senate Republican majority passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

June 2018: Longest-Serving Senate Republican Leader

In June 2018, Mitch McConnell became the longest-serving Senate Republican leader in U.S. history.

July 18, 2018: Senate Republicans Break Appeals Court Confirmation Record

On July 18, 2018, with Andy Oldham's Senate confirmation, Senate Republicans broke a record for the 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.

2018: Passing of Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act

In 2018, McConnell led the passing of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act as Senate majority leader.

2018: Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act Passed

In 2018, the Senate Republican majority under Mitch McConnell's leadership passed the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act.

2019: Listed as one of Time's 100 most influential people

In 2019, Time listed Mitch McConnell as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2019: Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2019, Time listed Mitch McConnell as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

November 2020: Elected to seventh term in the Senate

In November 2020, Mitch McConnell was elected to his seventh term in the Senate, defeating Amy McGrath by nearly 20 percentage points.

October 2021: McConnell Helps Pass Debt Ceiling Bill

In October 2021, Mitch McConnell helped pass a bill that extended the debt ceiling by convincing 11 Republicans to vote with the Democrats, preventing the United States from defaulting on its debts.