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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

When Is Mitch McConnell Leaving the Senate? Latest Polls in the Race to Replace Senator

McConnell returned to the Senate after an extended absence and is not seeking reelection.

When Is Mitch McConnell Leaving the Senate? Latest Polls in the Race to Replace Senator
Image · Newsweek

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Outlet credibilityNewsweek75/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Sep 27, 2026
Newsweek
Sep 15, 2026
tl;dr

Mitch McConnell returned to the Senate on September 14 after about three months away, and is not seeking reelection. The article also reviews the Kentucky Senate race, where polls and prediction markets favor Andy Barr over Charles Booker.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Mitch McConnell R · KY · SEN
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting McConnell in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward McConnell’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Mitch McConnell
R · KY · SEN

Senator whose return to the Senate and decision not to seek reelection frame the article

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Democratic Senate candidate seeking to defeat Barr

Booker's version of this story ↗
Andy Barr
R · KY-6

Republican representative and candidate in the race to replace McConnell

Barr's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President mentioned in connection with Kentucky’s voting history and Democrats’ hopes in the race

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate leader whom McConnell said he had assured about his return

Former Senate candidate mentioned in Booker’s 2020 primary history

Rand Paul
R · KY · SEN

Senator mentioned as the Republican who defeated Booker in the 2022 general election

ALSO MENTIONED  Andy Beshear, Kentucky governor who called for McConnell to provide updates about his health

Part of a bigger story

4 OUTLETS
Mitch McConnell Returns to Senate After Medical Absence

Outlets agree that McConnell returned to the Senate after an absence of about three months. Left-leaning outlets focus on questions about his health and capacity, including missed votes. Center outlets report his return and resumed Senate work, with one also connecting it to the Kentucky race to replace him.

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