By AUSTIN HORN AND DAVID CATANESE Lexington Herald-Leader/TNS
Share this story

LEXINGTON, Ky. — U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., once again froze up for a prolonged period of time in response to a question at a press conference in Northern Kentucky Wednesday.

McConnell, 81, fell silent for more than 30 seconds following a reporter’s question at a Covington lunchtime event. This comes one month after a much-publicized similar freeze up in Washington took place, when McConnell was escorted away from a press conference, later returning and telling reporters “I’m fine.”

ADVERTISING

In Covington, a reporter asked McConnell what his thoughts were about running for re-election in 2026. McConnell asked the reporter to repeat the question, then after a moment of pause, Robbin Taylor, McConnell’s state director, repeated the question to the senator.

McConnell did not speak in response to the question for more than 30 seconds.

The press conference resumed after the pause, with a staffer repeating the questions to McConnell. He answered questions about Republican Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron, who has a long history with McConnell including working in his office, and former Republican president Donald Trump’s various indictments.

McConnell has previously dodged questions about his plans to run for another term in 2026.

In response to questions about the incident, a McConnell spokesperson said “Leader McConnell felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today.”

A McConnell aide told the Herald-Leader that, while he feels fine, McConnell will consult a physician before his next event “as a prudential measure.”

The Senator, first elected to his post in 1984, was also hospitalized in March after sustaining a concussion from a fall during a GOP fundraiser.

Following public speculation about McConnell’s health in the wake of his first freeze-up, the Senate minority leader has made several public appearances in Kentucky.