U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell speaks to reporters after an appearance in Louisville, Oct. 23, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)
Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky fell at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, according to media reports.
McConnell, 82, reportedly fell down a small set of stairs leaving the Senate and was later spotted in a wheelchair.
A spokesperson for Kentucky’s senior senator said McConnell is “fine.”
“The lingering effects of polio in his left leg will not disrupt his regular schedule of work,” the spokesperson told the Lantern.
McConnell took a couple of public falls in Washington last year. He also appeared to freeze while talking to reporters a couple of times. The occurrences sparked concern about the childhood polio survivor’s health.
McConnell became the longest serving Senate leader in U.S. history after stepping down from his leadership role in November, having led the GOP caucus for nearly two decades.
He has not formally announced if he plans to seek reelection in 2026.
His current term ends in January 2027.
State Rep. Pamela Stevenson, a Democrat from Louisville, recently filed papers to begin raising money for a U.S. Senate campaign in 2026.