Staffers for Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman both put an end to speculation around what Democrats might run for McConnell’s seat.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell is announcing on Thursday that he won’t seek reelection next year, ending a decadeslong tenure as a power broker who championed conservative causes but ultimately ceded ground to the fierce GOP populism of President Donald Trump.

Now with his departure set, politicians and political hopefuls are starting to line up for the inevitable power vacuum of McConnell's retirement.