U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) waves as he leaves his Washington house to return to work at the U.S. Senate, less than a week after he froze for more than 30 seconds while speaking to reporters at an event in his home state of Kentucky, in Washington. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
As former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) prepares for retirement after serving in the Senate since 1985, the three leading Republican hopefuls to replace him are limiting ties as they seek Donald Trump's favor.
According to Washington Post reporter Hannah Knowles, McConnell's Republican detractors are using him as a political punching bag, attacking his record despite his success in securing more than $65 billion in additional federal funding for Kentucky throughout his career.
The Republican primary field includes businessman Nate Morris, who has backing from billionaire Elon Musk, former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, and Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY).
The Post reports, "The Senate primary to replace 83-year-old McConnell shows how profoundly the GOP base in his home state has soured on one of the most powerful and significant political figures in Kentucky history. McConnell drew low approval ratings for years but fended off challengers by flexing his raw clout and ability to deliver for his state."
Republican voter Julie Jackson, 56, expressed her sentiment directly: "I want him out of there."
Morris, backed by Musk, Trump Jr., and the late Charlie Kirk, has aggressively attacked McConnell's record. "He has had a stranglehold on Kentucky for 40 years, and it is not the easiest thing to challenge the McConnell mafia right here in the Bluegrass State. But we've done it and we've gone straight for the jugular of Mitch and his cronies."
Morris's approach has drawn mixed reactions. The Post reports that he was "roundly booed" at a Kentucky political event when he declared he would "trash Mitch McConnell's legacy."
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