Mitch McConnell, the Senate leader with the longest tenure in history, successfully retaining his influence despite significant upheavals within the Republican Party over nearly two decades, will relinquish his position in November.

Having celebrated his 82nd birthday last week, McConnell disclosed his decision on Wednesday within the Senate chamber.

It is the same chamber where he initially observed from the back benches in 1985 upon his arrival, and over the years, he ascended to the front row seat reserved for party leaders, growing increasingly at ease in that prominent position.

“One of life’s most underappreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter,” he said. “So I stand before you today … to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate,” the Associated Press reported.

His decision marks a significant ideological shift occurring within the Republican Party, transitioning from the traditional conservatism and robust international alliances associated with Ronald Reagan to the more assertive and fiery approach of former President Donald Trump.

Written by B.C. Begley