Sen. Mitch McConnell discusses health, rehab after hospital stay
GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell says a fall and pneumonia led to his recent hospital stay and that he is now in rehab to “keep regaining my strength.”
At this year’s Fancy Farm political picnic in Kentucky, there was one notable no-show: Sen. Mitch McConnell.
McConnell, a Republican, skipped the annual event – dubbed Kentucky’s political “Super Bowl” – as he continues rehab after a fall in June.
On Aug. 1, a slew of state officeholders and hopefuls alike gathered for the 146th St. Jerome Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, Kentucky.
The long-running tradition, which includes barbecue, raffles and games, invites members of the public to hear from a lineup of political speakers slinging zingers at each other.
McConnell’s attendance at the picnic has become a given over the years. But with the 84-year-old not seeking reelection at the end of his term this year, his absence also coincided with what would have been his last Fancy Farm as a sitting senator.
While he was not present, several speakers and crowd goers mentioned the politician.
Why did Mitch McConnell miss Fancy Farm?
McConnell was hospitalized the morning of June 14 after experiencing a fall that left him briefly unconscious, according to his office.
After weeks of heightened speculation and interest about McConnell’s condition, he broke his public silence in a July 12 statement. He said at the time that, in addition to the fall, he had a bout of mild pneumonia during his hospitalization and was later moved to a rehabilitation center.
On July 27, McConnell’s office released a new photo and briefing on his treatment, saying he was still undergoing “intense physical therapy” in a rehabilitation facility.
In his most recent statement, which came days before Fancy Farm, McConnell also confirmed that he would not be attending the picnic, citing his “intense physical therapy” regimen per doctors’ orders.
“There’s no place I’d rather be on the first Saturday in August than with the good people of western Kentucky, feasting on pork and mutton,” he said. “When I first attended forty-two years ago, Fancy Farm was a pretty lonely place to be a Republican. But, my, how times have changed. Today, western Kentucky is a conservative Republican sea of red.”
He added: “I hate that I’ll miss the fun this year, but I’m sending my best wishes to the St. Jerome community for a successful picnic.”
‘Where’s Mitch?’ chants ring out at Fancy Farm
This year’s Fancy Farm, like most in the recent past, was largely dominated by Republican speakers, like U.S. Rep Andy Barr, who is the GOP nominee for McConnell’s seat. Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, did not attend.
During Barr’s speech, he sent well wishes to McConnell, who he said he had spoken to the day before.
“He reminisced about the many times and many times he went to Fancy Farm picnics since 1984,” Barr said. “When the senator first spoke here, Kentucky was a Democratic stronghold. But today, as Senator McConnell says, you can’t find a Democrat with a flashlight.”
According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, on the smaller Democratic side, audience members rung out with chants of, “Where’s Mitch?”
Charles Booker, the Democratic nominee in the race for McConnell’s seat, took the question to the stage for his speech.
“OK, wait a minute – where in the world is Mitch McConnell? What is going on with Mitch McConnell?” Booker said before calling out Barr, his opponent.
“If you’re ready for good quality health care so everyone has the same health care that Mitch McConnell’s getting right now, stand with Booker and give Barr the boot,” Booker said.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
