BREAKING: Sen. Mitch McConnell is stepping down as the Republican Senate leader later this year

The agriculture committee member plans to keep his seat in the chamber.

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Senator Mitch McConnell announced today that he will step down as the Republican Senate leader in November.

McConnell, who is 82 years old, has been the long-serving Senate caucus leader in history and plans to keep his seat in the chamber.

He is also on the agriculture committee, and Senator John Thune is on the short list as his replacement.

Story via Dan Mangan with MSN