LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell took a victory lap Wednesday morning, holding a news conference less than 24 hours after winning reelection.
McConnell overwhelmed Democratic challenger Amy McGrath by 20 points.
“It was a statement by the people of Kentucky, I think, that they like having someone from our state be able to help set the national agenda,” McConnell said.
But it is not clear whether McConnell will still rule the U.S. Senate when all the votes across the country are counted.
“I don't know whether I'm going to be the defensive coordinator or the offensive coordinator,” he said. “The majority is better, but we are awaiting the judgment of the American people."
Several states are still in play for control of both the Senate and the White House. But McConnell declined to criticize President Donald Trump for prematurely declaring victory over Democrat Joe Biden.
“Well, it's not unusual for people to claim they won the election," McConnell said. "I can think of that happening on numerous occasions."
McConnell also said he is not bothered by Trump's threat to take the election to court.
“Having close, disputed elections is not unusual," he said. "It happens all the time. So, I don't think the president should be criticized for suggesting he may have some lawyers, because the other guys certainly are already doing that.
“In a close election, you can anticipate in some of these states you're going to end up in court. It's the American way.”
McConnell in fact praised Trump for preventing the expected Democratic blue wave which may help him continue as Majority Leader.
“Everybody was writing him off, said he had no shot, and he went out and literally worked himself to death for the last two months with multiple rallies every day and turned it into a cliffhanger," he said.
McConnell also commented on state politics, praising his fellow Republicans for increasing their super-majorities in both the Kentucky House and Senate. He said Kentucky politics has changed dramatically from when he first ran for the Senate in 1984.
"Eastern Kentucky did a complete transformation," he said. "I think that's a legacy of President Obama's war on coal and then the popularity of the current president added on to that."
McConnell said when the Senate reconvenes Monday, one of his top priorities will be a new COIVD-19 relief package.
“Hopefully, the partisan passions that prevented us from doing another rescue package will subside with the election,” McConnell said. “I think we need to do it, and I think we need to do it before the end of the year. “
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