Mitch McConnell Backstabs Republicans Days Before Midterms - He Won't Do It

Sen. Mitch McConnell’s campaign committee ended September with nearly $7.39 million in cash, despite the Kentucky Republican’s decision not to seek another term and a costly midterm fight for control of Congress.

Federal Election Commission records show $7,385,931.53 on hand as of September 30. During the third quarter, the committee reported about $61,250 in receipts and roughly $17,100 in spending. The Washington Sun reported that it made no transfers to Republican candidates or party committees during that period.

McConnell, who leaves the Senate in January, does not have to distribute the reserve before Election Day. Federal rules allow his committee to contribute within limits to other candidates and transfer unlimited campaign funds to national, state or local party committees. It may also refund donors, make qualifying charitable donations or send remaining funds to the U.S. Treasury. Campaign money cannot be converted to personal use.

One possible charitable recipient is the University of Louisville’s McConnell Center, a nonpartisan academic program established in 1991. The center has ties to McConnell, but no announcement has been made that his campaign plans to direct money there.

The untouched reserve stands out as party organizations pour resources into the midterms. Republicans hold the Senate 53–47, and Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control. Competitive contests in states including Texas, Michigan and Ohio are driving spending on advertising and voter outreach.

President Donald Trump’s political groups have spent nearly $277 million since early September to support Republican candidates. Trump has said his political operation expects to spend more than $400 million by Election Day. A Financial Times analysis of filings found Republican PACs had about $683 million in cash, compared with $484 million for Democratic PACs; it also reported that MAGA Inc. and Elon Musk’s America PAC had injected more than $900 million into the races.

McConnell spent years building a major Republican fundraising operation, and the Senate Leadership Fund became a significant force in Senate campaigns during his time as GOP leader. He stepped down from that leadership post after the 2024 election, succeeded by Sen. John Thune.

The latest filing shows where McConnell’s campaign money stood at the end of September; it does not establish what he will do with it before leaving office. His committee can still transfer funds before Election Day, leaving a consequential question for Republicans: whether any of that reserve will reach candidates and organizations working to preserve the Senate majority.