McConnell approval underwater amid retirement rumors

April 14, 2023

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has seen his approval rating go underwater as rumors have swirled recently about his retirement from the Senate.

Forty-nine percent of voters disapprove of how McConnell is handling his job as minority leader, while only 28% approve, according to a YouGov/Economist poll. The other 20% or so are unsure, but only seven percent strongly approve of his job performance, while 29% strongly disapprove.

Among Republicans 42% approve of McConnell while 40% disapprove. But he is also underwater there as 19% strongly disapprove and only 10% strongly approve.

McConnell was absent from the Senate for several weeks in March while getting physical therapy after a fall that caused a concussion and rib fracture.

The Spectator recently quoted several anonymous sources who said that McConnell is preparing to retire and that some other Republicans in the Senate are getting ready to call for a leadership vote following an announcement to that effect.

For his part, though, McConnell announced Thursday that he would be returning to the Senate on Monday with "important business to tackle."