Mitch McConnell and a History of Seven-Term US Senators
More U.S. Senators in their seventh term chose to seek reelection than to retire
Kentucky U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell announced last week that he would not seek an eighth term in the chamber next year, ending many months of speculation as to his potential retirement plans.
The Republican Party bench is a lot deeper in Kentucky than when McConnell was first elected in 1984 and, with one exception, the state’s senior senator has cruised to GOP renomination victories each cycle. [In 2014, McConnell won only 60.2 percent against businessman Matt Bevin in a five-candidate primary – the worst showing in a primary by any Kentucky U.S. Senator since Democrat Alben Barkley in 1938 (56.1 percent).
The open U.S. Senate seat is just the third in Kentucky since the 1974 cycle (following the retirements of Democrat Wendell Ford in 1998 and Republican Jim Bunning in 2010).
McConnell’s decision places him in a slight minority among U.S. Senators who served into their seventh term.
Of the 18 to accomplish this feat – six (including McConnell, should he serve until January 3, 2027) retired at the end of their seventh term. The other five are:
- Arizona Democrat Carl Hayden (1927-1969)
- Mississippi Democrat John Stennis (1947-1989)
- Louisiana Democrat Russell Long (1948-1987)
- South Carolina Democrat Fritz Hollings (1966-2005)
- Utah Republican Orrin Hatch (1977-2019)
A plurality of seven, however, chose to seek an eighth term:
- South Carolina Democrat-turned-Republican Strom Thurmond in 1996 (won)
- West Virginia Democrat Robert Byrd in 2000 (won)
- Massachusetts Democrat Ted Kennedy in 2000 (won)
- Hawaii Democrat Dan Inouye in 2004 (won)
- Alaska Republican Ted Stevens in 2008 (lost)
- Vermont Democrat Patrick Leahy in 2016 (won)
- Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley in 2022 (won)
Meanwhile, three U.S. Senators resigned in the midst of their seventh term:
- Virginia Democrat Harry Byrd, Sr. (1933-1965; resigned due to declining health)
- Delaware Democrat Joe Biden (1973-2009; elected vice-president)
- Mississippi Republican Thad Cochran (1978-2018; declining health)
Finally, two members of the seven-term club died in office:
- Wyoming Republican Francis Warren in 1929 (having served in seven non-consecutive terms: 1890-1893, 1895-1929)
- Georgia Democrat Richard Russell in 1971
Washington Democrat Patty Murray and Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden could also join the seven-timers club if reelected in 2028.
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– “AK…in 2006 (lost)”. {he lost in *2008* – which was/is his second loss in a general election}
“WA Democrat…in 2026”. {Their seats are next up in *2028*.}
Proofreading one’s own written work is always desired, though not 100% fool-proof indeed.
– William Thad Cochran was an EIGHT-term US senator; he began his service by finishing out the unexpired term of J Eastland via “appointment”.
Another error, Chuck Grassley was up in 2022 not 2024.
Oof – thanks very much Geoff and Connor for catching these three items. All corrected above. The Cochran omission of his 1-week first ‘term’ in 1978-1979 was intentional, though you are technically correct and it should have been noted.
McConnell’s retirement means he won’t become the 2nd former Senate majority leader to become president pro tempore, thus maintaining Robert Byrd’s unique distinction. [Byrd was the Democratic leader from 1977 to 1989 and the seniormost Democrat from 1989 to 2010, accordingly holding the offices of majority leader and president pro tempore during periods of Democratic control.]
Styles Bridges was minority leader (1952-53) and president pro tempore (1953-55). Ted Stevens was acting minority leader (1979-80, during Howard Baker’s presidential run) and president pro tempore (2003-07).
Before the position of president pro tempore was given by custom to the majority party’s seniormost senator, Charles Curtis was one of several rotating presidents pro tempore installed as a compromise in the 62nd Congress, serving for about a week in 1911. He succeeded Henry Cabot Lodge as majority leader upon the latter’s death in 1924, serving until 1929 when he became vice-president.
I did not know that about Charles Curtis – interesting note!