Skip to content

Mitch McConnell’s Favorite Democrat

Majority leader cites a staunch liberal as his favorite Senate Democrat

California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer worked with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky last year on a highway bill. (Al Drago/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer worked with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky last year on a highway bill. (Al Drago/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pointed to a liberal stalwart as one of his favorite Democrats in the Senate.  

“I’m shockingly enough a big fan of Barbara Boxer,” the Kentucky Republican told Yahoo News during a Tuesday interview.  

McConnell cited working with the California Democrat to craft a deal on a highway bill last year. He said the pair “enjoyed each other’s company after many years of being on the opposite sides of everything.”  

[

McConnell Talks Trump on Media Tour

]  

Boxer, first elected to the Senate in 1992, is retiring after this year , but has said she wants to remain active in politics.   

McConnell was elected to the Senate in 1984, but said Monday he does not have plans to retire, telling Hugh Hewitt’s radio show  that there is a “good possibility” he will run again in 2020. “I feel like I’m at the top of my game,” McConnell said.  

McConnell had less flattering things to say about the Senate Democratic leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, in other interviews to promote his memoir, “The Long Game.” He told Hewitt he disagreed with Reid’s rhetoric, adding, “I always say if a scalpel would work, Harry picks up a meat axe.” [

McConnell’s Memoir Bashes Outside Conservative Groups

]    

But McConnell did say that he and Reid often chat before they open the Senate each day about their mutual affinity for the Washington Nationals baseball team.  

Contact Bowman at 


bridgetbowman@rollcall.com


 and follow her on Twitter 

@bridgetbhc

.

Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone or your Android.

Recent Stories

Five races to watch in Pennsylvania primaries on Tuesday

‘You talk too much’— Congressional Hits and Misses

Senators seek changes to spy program reauthorization bill

Editor’s Note: Congress and the coalition-curious

Photos of the week ending April 19, 2024

Rule for emergency aid bill adopted with Democratic support