Mitch McConnell Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research
4 minute read
Updated 2:39 PM EDT, Fri September 1, 2023
Sen. Mitch McConnell speaks to members of the media after a weekly Senate Republican Policy Luncheon in December 2014 in Washington. For 30 years, McConnell has represented Kentucky in the Senate, and this year he went from minority leader to majority leader after the GOP swept to power in the midterm elections. Click through to see other moments from McConnell's political career.
Sen. Mitch McConnell speaks to members of the media after a weekly Senate Republican Policy Luncheon in December 2014 in Washington. For 30 years, McConnell has represented Kentucky in the Senate, and this year he went from minority leader to majority leader after the GOP swept to power in the midterm elections. Click through to see other moments from McConnell's political career.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, left, McConnell, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, pose for photos at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 3, the day of <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/02/politics/netanyahu-speech-iran-obama-congress/">Netanyahu's controversial speaking engagement</a> before a joint session of Congress.
Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, left, McConnell, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, pose for photos at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 3, the day of Netanyahu's controversial speaking engagement before a joint session of Congress.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
President Barack Obama sits beside McConnell before a meeting in the Cabinet Room at the White House on January 13.
President Barack Obama sits beside McConnell before a meeting in the Cabinet Room at the White House on January 13.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
A voter gives a thumbs-down as McConnell votes in the midterm elections in November 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.
A voter gives a thumbs-down as McConnell votes in the midterm elections in November 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images
McConnell waves to a crowd while riding with his wife, Elaine Chao, in the Hopkins Country Veterans Day Parade in November 2014 in Madisonville, Kentucky.
McConnell waves to a crowd while riding with his wife, Elaine Chao, in the Hopkins Country Veterans Day Parade in November 2014 in Madisonville, Kentucky.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
McConnell and Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, his Democratic opponent in the 2014 election, sit with "Kentucky Tonight" host Bill Goodman before their debate in October in Lexington.
McConnell and Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, his Democratic opponent in the 2014 election, sit with "Kentucky Tonight" host Bill Goodman before their debate in October in Lexington.
Pablo Alcala-Pool/Getty Images
McConnell talks with supporters at a campaign rally in Hindman, Kentucky, during a two-day bus tour of the eastern part of the state in August 2014.
McConnell talks with supporters at a campaign rally in Hindman, Kentucky, during a two-day bus tour of the eastern part of the state in August 2014.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
McConnell walks with "America's Got Talent" contestant Jimmy Rose to a news conference on the economic ramifications of the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed power plant rules in July 2014.
McConnell walks with "America's Got Talent" contestant Jimmy Rose to a news conference on the economic ramifications of the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed power plant rules in July 2014.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
McConnell and Chao wave to supporters at a victory celebration following McConnell's victory in the Republican senatorial primary on May 20, 2014, in Louisville, Kentucky.
McConnell and Chao wave to supporters at a victory celebration following McConnell's victory in the Republican senatorial primary on May 20, 2014, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
McConnell carries a musket onstage before his speech during the American Conservative Union's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, in March 2014.
McConnell carries a musket onstage before his speech during the American Conservative Union's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, in March 2014.
Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/getty images
McConnell and fellow Republican Rand Paul, Kentucky's junior senator, attend an event in the East Room of the White House in July 2013.
McConnell and fellow Republican Rand Paul, Kentucky's junior senator, attend an event in the East Room of the White House in July 2013.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
McConnell points to a stack of papers representing what he says are the regulations associated with the Affordable Care Act as he speaks at the 2013 CPAC in National Harbor, Maryland.
McConnell points to a stack of papers representing what he says are the regulations associated with the Affordable Care Act as he speaks at the 2013 CPAC in National Harbor, Maryland.
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, and McConnell listen during a dedication ceremony of the statue of former President Gerald Ford at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in May 2011.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, and McConnell listen during a dedication ceremony of the statue of former President Gerald Ford at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in May 2011.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
McConnell answers questions from reporters at the Capitol in September 2007.
McConnell answers questions from reporters at the Capitol in September 2007.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
McConnell introduces then-President George W. Bush at a National Republican Senatorial Committee Reception in Washington in October 2006.
McConnell introduces then-President George W. Bush at a National Republican Senatorial Committee Reception in Washington in October 2006.
Charles Dharapak/AP
Then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tennessee, center, is flanked by McConnell, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and then-Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas, as he speaks to reporters after a Senate vote in May 2005.
Then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tennessee, center, is flanked by McConnell, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and then-Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas, as he speaks to reporters after a Senate vote in May 2005.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
McConnell poses with wife Elaine Chao at the 128th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville in May 2002.
McConnell poses with wife Elaine Chao at the 128th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville in May 2002.
John Simpson/Getty Images
McConnell, left, Sen. Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, Vice President Dick Cheney, President George W. Bush, Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-South Carolina, and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois, are pictured during Bush's inauguration to his first term on January 20, 2001.
McConnell, left, Sen. Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, Vice President Dick Cheney, President George W. Bush, Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-South Carolina, and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois, are pictured during Bush's inauguration to his first term on January 20, 2001.
Joyce Naltchayan/AFP/Getty Images
Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Connecticut, and McConnell hammer the "first nails" into a piece of wood during a nail-driving ceremony in December 2000 on Capitol Hill. Both senators participated in the ceremony to signify the beginning of construction of the 2001 Inaugural platform on the West Front Terrace of the U.S. Capitol.
Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Connecticut, and McConnell hammer the "first nails" into a piece of wood during a nail-driving ceremony in December 2000 on Capitol Hill. Both senators participated in the ceremony to signify the beginning of construction of the 2001 Inaugural platform on the West Front Terrace of the U.S. Capitol.
Alex Wong/Newsmakers
Sen. Robert Byrd, D-West Virginia, and McConnell enter the "Old Senate Chamber" in January 1999 to attend a bipartisan caucus to possibly establish rules and guidelines for the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.
Sen. Robert Byrd, D-West Virginia, and McConnell enter the "Old Senate Chamber" in January 1999 to attend a bipartisan caucus to possibly establish rules and guidelines for the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.
Joe Marquette/AFP/Getty Images
Sen. Mitch McConnell's political career
CNN  — 

Here is a look at the life of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky.

Personal

Birth date: February 20, 1942

Birth place: Colbert County, Alabama

Birth name: Addison Mitchell McConnell Jr.

Father: Addison Mitchell McConnell

Mother: Julia (Shockley) McConnell

Marriages: Elaine Chao (1993-present); Sherrill Redmon (1968-1980, divorced)

Children: with Sherrill Redmon: Porter; Claire; Eleanor

Education: University of Louisville, B.A., 1964; University of Kentucky, J.D., 1967

Religion: Baptist

Other Facts

Contracted polio at age 2 and was not allowed to walk for two years while completing physical therapy.

His wife, Elaine Chao, served as secretary of the Department of Labor under President George W. Bush and deputy secretary of the Department of Transportation under President George H.W. Bush. Chao served as the secretary of the Department of Transportation under President Donald Trump.

Timeline

1968-1970 - Chief legislative assistant to Senator Marlow Cook.

1974-1975 - Deputy Assistant United States Attorney for Legislative Affairs.