Mitch McConnell Stepping Down Prompts Theories of Possible Replacement

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Matthew Impelli is a Newsweek staff writer based in New York. His focus is reporting social issues and crime. In January 2023, Matthew traveled to Moscow, Idaho where he reported on the quadruple murders and arrest of Bryan Kohberger. Matthew joined Newsweek in 2019 after graduating from Syracuse University. He also received his master's degree from St. John's University in 2021. You can get in touch with Matthew by emailing m.impelli@newsweek.com. Languages: English.

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Alex J. Rouhandeh serves as a special correspondent for Newsweek and is currently working toward his Master of Arts within the politics concentration at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism where he serves as the school's student representative in the University Senate and the Student Leadership Advisory Council of the Columbia Alumni Association.

Previously, he served as Newsweek's congressional correspondent, reporting from Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. Over his tenure with Newsweek, Alex has covered the speakership of Mike Johnson, the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the midterm elections of 2022, the Russo-Ukrainian War, and other key congressional stories of the Biden presidency.

Alex additionally provides coverage of Newsweek ownership and has produced investigative reporting on legal troubles facing the Olivet Assembly, a religious entity to which Newsweek's two owners formerly held ties.

Prior to covering Congress, Alex reported on matters of U.S. national security, holding press credentials for both the U.S. Capitol and the Department of Defense. Before joining Newsweek, Alex wrote for The American Prospect, Vice News, WDIV-TV NBC Local 4 News in Detroit, and other regional outlets.

His entry into the media industry began at Syracuse University where he majored in magazine journalism and produced award-winning coverage of the U.S.-Mexico border. At Syracuse, Alex also completed majors in policy studies as well as citizenship & civic engagement and was recognized as a Remembrance Scholar, one of the university's highest honors.

Alex was selected by the National Press Foundation to serve as a Paul Miller Washington Reporting fellow in 2024. He holds memberships with the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and the Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) organization.

Contact Alex with tips and feedback at a.rouhandeh@newsweek.com, and stay updated on his reporting by following him on social media at @AlexRouhandeh.

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced on Wednesday his plans to step down from his position in the coming months, prompting speculation about a possible replacement.

The three contenders most likely to vie to replace McConnell include Senator John Thune of South Dakota, Senator John Cornyn of Texas and Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming. Others across social media have pointed to Florida Senator Rick Scott and Montana Senator Steve Daines as other possible contenders.

Ron Filipkowski of MeidasTouch wrote: "Best case scenario for Republican leader in the Senate: John Thune. Worst case scenario: Rick Scott."

Radio host Jesse Kelly posted, "When you see McConnell is stepping down but then you remember his replacement (Thune or Cornyn) will be as bad or worse."

Lawyer and Manhattan Community Board 1 member Jess Coleman wrote, "Let's be clear about what's happening here: Mitch McConnell, one of the most effective reactionary politicians in modern history, no longer has a future in the Republican Party because he supported things like giving aid to Ukraine. His replacement will be worse."

Newsweek reached out to the press offices for Thune and Cornyn for comment.

Mitch McConnell
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at the U.S. Capitol on February 28. McConnell announced that he would step down as Republican leader in November. Nathan Howard/Getty Images

The Context

McConnell said during a speech on the Senate floor on Wednesday: "To serve Kentucky in the Senate has been the honor of my life; to lead my Republican colleagues has been the highest privilege. So, I stand before you today, Mr. President, my colleagues, to say this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate."

The Senate minority leader continued, "I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, however. I'll complete my job; my colleagues have given me until they select a new leader in November, and they take the helm next January. I'll finish the job the people of Kentucky hired me to do as well, albeit from a different seat."

What We Know

McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, recently turned 82 years old. His current term in the Senate is set to end in January 2027.

He previously faced calls to resign after appearing to freeze on two separate occasions while speaking to reporters. In August, a spokesperson for McConnell's office said the Senate minority leader felt "momentarily lightheaded and paused."

"I'm fine. I'm completely recovered, and I'm just fine," McConnell told CBS's Face the Nation in October 2023. "I'm in good shape, completely recovered, and back on the job."

Views

Republican Senator Ron Johnson, who has been critical of McConnell in the past, told Newsweek on Wednesday that he thought the minority leader's speech was very "gracious" and "heartfelt."

When asked about a potential replacement, Johnson told Newsweek: "I appreciate the fact he's announcing it now to give the conference time to have the very serious discussion. What is our conference about? What is our mission?"

"I hope we can find a leader that's aligned with what that mission is. And it's been an important mission we need to be the elected conservative representatives of Republicans pushing back on what is happening this country," Johnson said, adding that senators will have to have a discussion on who a specific replacement could be.

Republican Senator Steve Daines was also asked by Newsweek his thoughts of his name being floated as a potential replacement.

"It's time to reflect on great accomplishments Leader McConnell, during his tenure as the longest serving leader in Senate history, and think about what he did to transform the courts," Daines told Newsweek. "What he's done in terms of getting the biggest tax cuts in U.S. history... and this is the time to reflect on Leader McConnell's legacy and accomplishments."

Democratic Senator John Fetterman told Newsweek on Wednesday that while he expects to have political differences with a possible McConnell replacement, he noted that "we really can never become the Jerry Springer show over in the House and we have to produce actual governance."

"This is not entertainment," Fetterman said.

What's Next

As McConnell noted in his speech, he will continue to serve as the Senate minority leader until November, when members will be required to choose a replacement.

Update 2/28/24, 1:23 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 2/28/24, 2:15 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 2/28/24, 3:06 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 2/28/24, 3:38 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 3/1/24, 8:37 a.m. ET: This article was updated to clarify one of McConnell's quotes.

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About the writer

Matthew Impelli is a Newsweek staff writer based in New York. His focus is reporting social issues and crime. In January 2023, Matthew traveled to Moscow, Idaho where he reported on the quadruple murders and arrest of Bryan Kohberger. Matthew joined Newsweek in 2019 after graduating from Syracuse University. He also received his master's degree from St. John's University in 2021. You can get in touch with Matthew by emailing m.impelli@newsweek.com. Languages: English.

Writers Page
and

Alex J. Rouhandeh serves as a special correspondent for Newsweek and is currently working toward his Master of Arts within the politics concentration at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism where he serves as the school's student representative in the University Senate and the Student Leadership Advisory Council of the Columbia Alumni Association.

Previously, he served as Newsweek's congressional correspondent, reporting from Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. Over his tenure with Newsweek, Alex has covered the speakership of Mike Johnson, the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the midterm elections of 2022, the Russo-Ukrainian War, and other key congressional stories of the Biden presidency.

Alex additionally provides coverage of Newsweek ownership and has produced investigative reporting on legal troubles facing the Olivet Assembly, a religious entity to which Newsweek's two owners formerly held ties.

Prior to covering Congress, Alex reported on matters of U.S. national security, holding press credentials for both the U.S. Capitol and the Department of Defense. Before joining Newsweek, Alex wrote for The American Prospect, Vice News, WDIV-TV NBC Local 4 News in Detroit, and other regional outlets.

His entry into the media industry began at Syracuse University where he majored in magazine journalism and produced award-winning coverage of the U.S.-Mexico border. At Syracuse, Alex also completed majors in policy studies as well as citizenship & civic engagement and was recognized as a Remembrance Scholar, one of the university's highest honors.

Alex was selected by the National Press Foundation to serve as a Paul Miller Washington Reporting fellow in 2024. He holds memberships with the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and the Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) organization.

Contact Alex with tips and feedback at a.rouhandeh@newsweek.com, and stay updated on his reporting by following him on social media at @AlexRouhandeh.

Writers Page

Matthew Impelli is a Newsweek staff writer based in New York. His focus is reporting social issues and crime. In ... Read more