Mitch McConnell turned white as a ghost after who he heard might replace him

mitch mcconnell

McConnell’s time in the Senate is almost up. But he’s hoping his influence stays in Washington for a long time.

And Mitch McConnell turned white as a ghost after who he heard might replace him.

Scott Jennings Eyes Senate Run, Awaits Trump’s Nod

Scott Jennings, the sharp-tongued conservative CNN commentator, is considering a bold leap into the political arena, eyeing the Kentucky Senate seat soon to be vacated by the retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell. The veteran GOP strategist, however, is holding off on a final decision, waiting for a signal from President Donald Trump.

“If the president wants me, I’ll run,” Jennings revealed at a lively afterparty following the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last Saturday, as reported by the Daily Beast.

“If he wants somebody else, I’ll support that candidate,” he added, signaling his loyalty to Trump’s influence. Jennings, 47, once served as an adviser to McConnell, who will step down next year after a historic tenure as the longest-serving Senate leader in U.S. history.

A seasoned Republican insider, speaking to the New York Post, vouched for Jennings’ ambition, noting that his interest in the Senate race is “certainly not fake.” Jennings has become a household name among political junkies, thanks to his regular appearances on CNN’s “News Night With Abby Phillip.” His spirited debates with liberal commentators and staunch defenses of Trump-era policies have won him fans across party lines.

Last month, Jennings secured a hefty pay bump and a new contract at CNN, though the network passed on giving him his own show. His ability to navigate the liberal-leaning outlet while championing conservative views has caught Trump’s attention.

“He defends me all the time on CNN, and he defends me really well, but he can’t go too far because he’ll get fired,” Trump quipped at a rally in Warren, Michigan, on Tuesday, celebrating his 100th day in office. In a playful gesture, Trump invited Jennings on stage, joking that it might spell “the end” of his CNN gigs.

Jennings seized the moment, riffing to the crowd: “Michigan, we were flying in here today, and I said, ‘Look at these farms. I’ve got to get a farm in Michigan — because when you own as many libs as I do, you gotta get a place to put them all.’”

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Van Jones, a former Obama adviser and fellow CNN commentator, praised Jennings’ TV prowess in January, telling the Daily Caller: “I think he relishes a role in challenging the overwhelmingly liberal audience. But he also understands television. The heel has to be more of a likable rascal than someone who’s just perceived as utterly evil. He knows how to dance that dance. It’s a rare gift.”

The idea of Jennings as a Senate contender has sparked enthusiasm among conservatives. In February, radio host Erick Erickson tweeted: “Could I nominate [Scott Jennings] for the United States Senate from the Commonwealth of Kentucky? He’d be a h*ll of a McConnell replacement.”

The race for McConnell’s seat is already heating up. Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron threw his hat in the ring mere minutes after McConnell announced his retirement in February, followed by Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) last week.

Meanwhile, Lexington businessman Nate Morris has emerged as another contender, taking swipes at Cameron and Barr on social media, calling them “puppets” for McConnell.

“I’m not gonna let Mitch McConnell dictate whether I run or not,” Morris declared in a February X post. “Mitch McConnell, unfortunately, has sold Kentucky conservatives out for years now. He’s turned his back on us — and he’s turned his back on President Trump.”

As the field grows crowded, all eyes are on Trump, who has yet to endorse a candidate. For Jennings, the path forward hinges on the former president’s blessing.

Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.

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