RFK Jr. backs Rand Paul as next Senate Republican leader

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced his support for Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) as the next Senate Republican leader.

“Mitch McConnell, who has served in the Senate for almost 40 years, announced he’ll step down this November. Part of public service is about knowing when to usher in a new generation,” Kennedy said Wednesday in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, highlighted by Mediaite.

“It’s time to promote leaders in Washington, DC who won’t kowtow to the military contractors or push us deeper into foreign conflicts,” Kennedy continued. “We need representation who will prioritize American wellness over all else. I believe @RandPaul would be an incredible successor. He’s shown great judgment and has the grit to put hardworking Americans first.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced Wednesday he will be stepping down from his leadership position in November. McConnell’s exit will finish his tenure as the longest-serving Senate party leader. Recently having turned age 82, he announced his plan to leave his post in a speech on the upper chamber’s floor.

“One of life’s most underappreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter. So I stand before you today … to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate,” McConnell said.

McConnell also said he plans to stick around through what’s left of his Senate term, which ends in 2027.

“I’m not going anywhere any time soon. However, I will complete my job my colleagues have given me until we select a new leader in November and they take the helm next January,” he said.

McConnell’s upcoming leadership exit also prompts a battle to replace him, with figures including Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Thune (R-S.D.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) among those anticipated to jockey for the current leader’s role.