Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving senator in Kentucky historical past, has introduced that he doesn’t plan to run for re-election in 2026.
On Thursday, Feb 20, the politician shared his determination whereas on the Senate ground, saying, “Seven instances my fellow Kentuckians have despatched me to the Senate. Every single day in between I’ve been humbled by the belief they’ve positioned in me to do their enterprise proper right here. Representing our commonwealth has been the respect of a lifetime. I can’t search this honor an eighth time. My present time period within the Senate can be my final.”
McConnell, who additionally celebrated his 83rd birthday in the present day, has skilled a number of falls and different well being setbacks over time. Maybe one of the crucial regarding moments got here in July 2023 when McConnell seemingly froze for a prolonged stretch of time in entrance of reporters. He was escorted out of the press convention by his staff, then returned later to make clear that he was “positive.” Nevertheless, one month later, the same incident occurred, and he was once more taken away by his employees. The reason for these two incidents continues to be unknown. In mild of his determination to step down after an extended tenure and his most up-to-date fall in February 2025, we’ve compiled all the small print we find out about McConnell’s well being.
Maintain studying to study McConnell’s well being historical past.
Mitch McConnell is in a wheelchair after falling a number of instances in the present day pic.twitter.com/pDd03oBgQl
— Max Cohen (@maxpcohen) February 5, 2025
Mitch McConnell’s Falls
McConnell has fallen a number of instances all through his profession — sufficient to spark concern among the many public. Among the many first reported incidents was again in 2019 when he fell at his residence in Louisville, Kentucky. On the time, he fractured his shoulder however finally recovered. 4 years later, McConnell fell and was subsequently hospitalized for a concussion and a minor fracture in his ribs in mid-2023. Simply six months later, the Republican fell once more whereas getting off a aircraft at Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport.
In late 2024, McConnell injured his wrist and minimize his face after falling throughout a Senate occasion. The next yr, in February 2025, he fell within the Capitol constructing and wanted a wheelchair on account of the tumble. A spokesperson from McConnell’s staff assured the general public that he was “positive” and identified that the “lingering results of polio in his left leg is not going to disrupt his common schedule of labor,” in keeping with NBC Information.
Mitch McConnell’s Coronary heart Surgical procedure
In 2003, McConnell underwent elective coronary artery bypass surgical procedure, per Roll Name. On the time, Dr. Alan Spier famous that the politician’s “post-operative course can be uncomplicated and the prognosis for full and unrestricted restoration is superb.”
Mitch McConnell’s Polio Historical past
When he was a toddler, McConnell suffered from a polio assault in 1944, and his higher left leg was paralyzed by the illness. Although paralysis is a much less widespread aspect impact of the sickness, post-polio syndrome can observe a affected person years after they’ve recovered from the virus.
In an previous marketing campaign commercial, McConnell identified that his household “virtually went broke” whereas making an attempt to pay for the prices associated to his polio.
