Senator Predicts Mitch McConnell Will ‘Be Back’ — as Special Election Deadline Looms

Mediaite ^ | August 1, 2026 | Kathianne Boniello

[Miami Rebel]

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) recently updated his Congressional colleagues on his health, according to one who said he believed the longtime Kentucky politician will come back to work on Capitol Hill.

The confident prediction from Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) comes just days before an Aug. 3 deadline for Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) to call a special election to fill McConnell’s seat.

Marshall and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) told independent journalist Nicholas Ballasy McConnell had reached out to his colleagues recently, with Ernst pointing to a letter the 84-year-old sent to the Senate physician. While it’s unclear what the letter said, Marshall said of McConnell: “He’ll be back.”

Ernst told Ballasy that McConnell “put out a letter the other day with the Senate’s physician and I think that suffices,” adding “if the people of Kentucky want more they’ll ask him for it.”

Ballasy asked Marshall if McConnell should issue a video showing his current health, and Marshall said he respects McConnell’s privacy, calling him “one of the toughest guys I’ve ever met.”

“He’s making progress,” he added.

McConnell was found unconscious in his Washington on June 14, and taken to a hospital via ambulance.

His absence even led to fake missing person posters with the senator’s photo, which described him as “turtle-like.”

McConnell’s health scare has caused a firestorm of speculation, with Laura Loomer claiming on X that McConnell was actually brain dead and Newsmax hosts Rob Finnerty and Carl Higbie crying foul over silence from McConnell’s office.

While some in the GOP claimed to have spoken to McConnell on the phone, and his office eventually released two separate photos of the senator with wife Elaine Chao, he’s faced repeated calls for transparency.

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TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: mcconnell

[lurk]

So it’s not just the Dems who can gaslight and front for vegetables.

One wonders if they care that this weakens a whole nation.

[SteveH]

presuming it is not faked, there is no guarantee against relapse after recovery. everyone recognizes the significance of the loss of one vote in the senate. imho mcconnell is being deceitful. he should therefore be replaced, immediately. that he is still in office seems an insult
to kentucky and to the entire country.

[Berosus]

I have wondered that. I have lived in Kentucky for twenty years, and as a supporter of term limitations, I have felt that McConnell has been in office long enough. But over the years, neither party has offered a candidate who is competent enough to take his place.

[crusty old prospector]

You should be limited to two terms. Then, go back to being a lobbyist at the firm.

[Reily]

Years ago I remember reading about sickening complimentary article on McConnell in the National Review. It was really a hagiaography. It pointed out that he had been a Senate page. The time between being a page and senator wasn’t that long. It was almost like he entered as a page and never left! Of course the author thought this was great. I doubt McConnell could his way back to Kentucky on his own even before the current illness!

Repeal the 17th Amendment! Bring us back to the role the Founders intended for the States! Senators now are nothing more then Congresscritters-at-Large serving 6 year terms. This is why they show the same level of partisanship as the House!

Even Senate termimits would be better then the current situation!

[plain talk]

"I hope he survives through the cut off date next week. "

I agree.

"Don't die. Don't die! I'll get you water! Stay there. Don't move, I'll get you water. Don't die until later!"

[GMThrust]

He wrote a letter for goodness sake. What more proof do you need???? /S

[combat_boots]

Taxidermy must work in AI now.

[Dave911]

He’s dead Jim.

[faithhopecharity]

I sure hope he’s healthy enough to get some work done like the SAVE act

[Carl Vehse]

[arthurus]

In a cardboard box or perhaps the embalmed Mitch will be strapped to a board and stood up at his desk in the Senate on August 7,.

[arthurus]

If hís demise is announced on the 7th then the seat remains empty until the midterm. Mitch would have liked that, or maybe left that as his last Will. Anything to reduce the Republican margin and avoid the SAVE act and election clean-up. He was good on judges in the Trump first term but has been a Thune allied block to Republicans since. The old guard Republicans hate being “in power” and will do what they have to do to return to minority status.

[ncalburt]

So the GOP is playing hard ball and ensuring the seat remain GOP and posters here are UPSET?

The Hard Left Dem Gov was planning to
insert a Dem in the seat and ignore the new law.

He is running for Pres. in 2028 and needs the PR.

I don’t recall all these posters worked up about Senator Bryd
was dead for a year and his aides still voting away.
And
The lefty media then said nothing too.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Weekend at Mitch’s.

[Old Yeller]

You would think that this would pretty easy to look into for an investigative reporter.

The investigative reporter might find the Pigman at the same time.

[BiteYourSelf]

Blondieeeee.😁

[PubliusMM]

Yeah...Mitch will be back...at least for the viewing...

[Paladin2]

We don’t want him back.

[Vendome]