This article will answer every question you have about Mitch McConnell. Below are some of the frequently asked questions about him.
- What does Mitch McConnell do for a living?
- Who are Mitch McConnell’s parents and siblings?
- What are Mitch McConnell’s interests and hobbies?
- Is Mitch McConnell married or does he have a girlfriend?
- Does Mitch McConnell have any children?
- Where is Mitch McConnell now?
- How tall is Mitch McConnell?
- How much money does Mitch McConnell earn?
- What is Mitch McConnell’s net worth?
N/B: Please read the entire post to have all your questions answered.
Who is Mitch McConnell?
Mitch McConnell in an American politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator of Kentucky as well as Senate Majority leader. He is the second person from Kentucky to serve as a party leader in the Senate and is also the longest-serving senator for Kentucky in history.
McConnell first joined the Senate in 1984 via election. He was also the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 1998 and 2000 election cycles. He was also elected to 108th congress as Majority Whip and later re-elected to the position in 2004. McConnell also became the elected senate minority leader until 2015 when Republicans acquired control of the senate and he became majority leader.
Despite being known as pragmatist and a moderate Republican in his early political career, McConnell has Conservative political positions. He worked to oppose major presidential initiatives during the time of Barack Obama. In addition, he stopped many of Obama’s judicial nominees including Merrick Garland who was a nominee for a Supreme court position. During the time of the presidency of Trump, he broke the record for the most federal appeals confirmed by court judges.
Career
Early Career
In 1967, McConnell enlisted in the U.S Army Reserve as a private at Louisville in Kentucky before the end of his educational draft deferment after graduating from Law School. This position was highly coveted because the reserve units stayed out of combat during the Vietnam war. Shortly after arriving for training, McConnell was diagnosed with optic neuritis and was therefore exempted from military service. He stayed at Fort Knox for five weeks after which he was honourably discharged.
McConnell returned to Louisville, Kentucky from Washington, D.C. in 1971 where he worked under Tom Emberton during his candidacy for Governor of Kentucky but he lost. He also tried to run for a position in the state legislature but he got disqualified due to lack of some residency requirements for the seat that he did not meet. McConnell then joined a law firm while at the same time he taught a night class at the University of Louisville on political science. Later in 1974, he went back to Washington to take a position as Deputy Assistant Attorney General during the presidency of Gerald R. Ford. McConnell then became Judge of Jefferson County which was currently the highest political office in Jefferson County, Kentucky. He got re-elected to the position in 1981 and maintained the seat until he was elected to the U.S Senate in 1984.
Time at the U.S Senate
McConnell became the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial committee in 1997 until 2001. The body was charged with ensuring electoral victories for Republicans. McConnell was initially elected as Majority Whip in the 108th congress after which he got unanimously reelected on 17th November 2004. After Bill Frist who was majority leader did not seek reelection in the 2006 elections, Republicans lost control of the Senate. McConnell became minority leader but after the senate elections in 2014, Republicans regained their dominance and McConnell was elected Senate majority leader.
By June 2018, He was the longest-serving Republican Senate leader in United States history. He is also the second person from Kentucky to be a party leader in the Senate as well as the longest-serving Kentuckian senator in U.S history. McConnell has gained a high reputation for being a skilled political tactician and strategist. However, his reputation declined due to failure to repeal the Obamacare Affordable Care Act in 2017. He also received earmarks for institutions and businesses in Kentucky until the congress banned the practice in 2010. McConnell gained criticism for opposing national programs aimed at improving healthcare such as Obamacare and Medicaid expansion while temporary patching long-term healthcare problems in Kentucky.
Mitch McConnell’s Political Position
McConnell has been making conservative steps for the last 20 years. He has led several oppositions during his tenure in the Senate. McConnell has also been a part of the opposition against Obamacare and American healthcare Reform Act. He has as well opposed stricter gun control bills and efforts to control climate change. McConnell has also supported free trade agreements, reduction in taxes and stronger border security. His views on foreign policy include encouraging sanctions on Iran, Cuba and Russia. In addition, he supports Israel and opposes nuclear deal with Iran. During his early career in the 60s and 70s, he was in support of abortions, the civil rights movement as well as unions. McConnell has also criticized suggested legislation by Democrats including Medicare for All and Green New Deal.
How Old is Mitch McConnell?
McConnell was born on February 20, 1942, in Sheffield, Alabama making him currently 78 years old.
Mitch McConnell’s Family
Who are Mitch McConnell’s parents?
McConnell’s parents are Addison Mitchelle McConnell(1917-1990) and Julia Odean McConnell(1919-1993). They are of Scottish/Irish and English descent.
Does Mitch McConnell have siblings?
McConnell has no siblings.
Mitch McConnell’s Education
McConnell attended DuPont Manual High School. He was part of the student council and was elected student president during his junior year. He then joined the University of Louisville where he graduated Omicron Delta Kappa in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in political science. McConnell was also the president of the student council of the College of Arts and Sciences. He then later graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1967 where he was also president of the Student Bar Association.
Mitch McConnell’s Wife
McConnell Sherrill Redmon who was his first wife from 1968 to 1980. His second wife is Ellaine Chao whom he married in 1993. Chao was the Secretary of Labour working for President George Bush as well as the secretary of Transportation under Donald Trump.
Mitch McConnell’s Children – Kids
McConnell has three children, Elly McConnell, Porter McConnell and Claire McConnell.
Mitch McConnell’s Net Worth
McConnell has an estimated net worth of $22.5 million.
Height/Measurements
McConnell is about 5 feet and 9 inches tall.
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