McConnell to Step Down as GOP Leader

“Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the longest-serving Senate leader in history who maintained his power in the face of dramatic convulsions in the Republican Party for almost two decades, will step down from that position in November,” the AP reports.

“McConnell, who turned 82 last week, was set to announce his decision Wednesday in the well of the Senate, a place where he looked in awe from its back benches in 1985 when he arrived and where he grew increasingly comfortable in the front row seat afforded the party leaders.”

Said McConnell: “The end of my contributions are closer than I’d prefer.”

The three Johns — John Thune, John Barrasso and John Cornyn — are all expected to vie for the post.