‘Better days ahead’: Gaetz celebrates McConnell stepping down, Scott and Rubio react

By Eric Daugherty

Published Feb. 28, 2024, 1:14 p.m. ET | Updated Feb. 28, 2024

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky speaking at the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland (Gage Skidmore).

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz believes “better days are ahead for the Republican Party” after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-K.Y., will step down in November.

Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott reacted Wednesday afternoon, reiterating calls for new GOP leadership. He challenged McConnell for the position in 2022.

“This is an opportunity to refocus our efforts on solving the significant challenges facing our country and actually reflect the aspirations of voters,” Scott said.

McConnell is the longest to serve in his position of Senate party leader. He is 82 years old.

Gaetz said the party has “86’d,” or gotten rid of, the three major Republican leaders whose names begin with “Mc”:

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif;
Outgoing Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, and
Outgoing Senate Minority/GOP Leader Mitch McConnell.

Gaetz spearheaded the successful effort to oust McCarthy from the speakership, ultimately replaced by Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.

In 2022, Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott challenged McConnell for the leadership position unsuccessfully.

“I’m not going anywhere,” McConnell said at the time.

Despite stepping down later this year, he said he will serve out his term through January 2027.

Scott’s challenge came after lackluster midterm performance from Republicans.

The Florida Republican at the time campaigned against the “status quo.”

“We must start saying what we are for, not just what we are against,” he said. “I do not believe we can simply continue to say the Democrats are radical, which they are. Republican voters expect and deserve to know our plan to promote and advance conservative values.”

Scott’s fellow Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio also posted his reaction when the news of McConnell’s stepping down emerged: