KENTUCKY, USA — Congress is preparing for a new year, with a new balance of power in the House of Representatives and Senate and Republicans are preparing to replace Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
The Kentucky senator announced in February he would step down in January as leader after nearly two decades.
McConnell's replacement will be taking over as majority leader, following Republican's winning the Senate majority in the November election.
McConnell was elected to the Senate in 1985 and is both the longest serving Senate party leader in U.S. history and the longest serving senator in Kentucky's history.
"McConnell has been a constant in our political process here in Kentucky my entire life," Andy Westberry, the communications director of the Republican Party of Kentucky, said. "To say that those are big shoes to fill is a complete understatement. I mean, you would be hard pressed to find a single other Kentuckian that has been more consequential on our commonwealth and our nation, for that matter, than Leader McConnell, even more so than Henry Clay."
The country is now just days away from learning who will take McConnell's spot in a historic decision that will be made behind closed doors on Wednesday.
"We hope that you know whoever comes into this role next will look towards boosting Republicans, building up Republicans, you know, passing good policy, wanting to move our country forward," said Westberry.
Names have been thrown out including South Dakota Senator and Republican Whip John Thune, who is McConnell’s No. 2 and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas who previously held the position before Thune.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul announced Saturday that he's backing Florida Senator Rick Scott, who recently won reelection.
McConnell's current Senate term ends in 2026.
He hasn't said yet whether he's running again.
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