Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, first elected in 1984, intends to serve the remainder of his term ending in January 2027.

Longtime Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell announced Thursday he won’t seek reelection in 2026, ending his run as one of the most powerful lawmakers in the U.S. McConnell, a Republican first elected in 1984, is the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history. He plans to serve out the remainder of his term until it ends in 2027.

McConnell announced Thursday he would not run in 2026. Here’s where his political career began more than 50 years ago.