Kentucky Republican Calls for McConnell Statue in State Capitol

Senate President Robert Stivers plans to file resolution to consider adding statue of longtime GOP senator.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:08am

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A top Republican leader in Kentucky, Senate President Robert Stivers, is calling for a statue of longtime U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell to be added to the state Capitol rotunda in Frankfort. Stivers said he plans to file a resolution to request the Historic Properties Advisory Commission consider adding McConnell's statue to the prominent central area of the Capitol building, which is currently undergoing a $300 million renovation.

Why it matters

The proposal to add a statue of McConnell, who has served as a Republican senator from Kentucky since 1985 and led the GOP caucus for nearly two decades, highlights the influential role he has played in state and national politics. However, the idea has sparked debate, as the Capitol rotunda already includes statues of other prominent Kentuckians, and the state legislature recently gave itself final say over permanent displays in the space.

The details

Stivers emphasized that his resolution 'does not carry the force of law' but he filed it to 'start the discussion' about adding the statue. He argued that McConnell has been 'the most influential' figure in Kentucky over the past century. The Kentucky Capitol closed last summer for renovations expected to take several years. In 2024, the state legislature gave itself final approval over permanent displays in the rotunda, after a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis was removed in 2020.

  • The Kentucky Capitol closed last summer for a $300 million renovation project.
  • In 2024, the Kentucky General Assembly gave itself final say over permanent displays in the Capitol rotunda.
  • The statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis was removed from the Capitol in 2020.

The players

Robert Stivers

The Republican Senate President of Kentucky, who plans to file a resolution to request the Historic Properties Advisory Commission consider adding a statue of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell to the state Capitol rotunda.

Mitch McConnell

The longtime Republican U.S. Senator from Kentucky, who has served in the Senate since 1985 and led the GOP caucus for nearly two decades.

Andy Barr

A Republican U.S. Representative from Kentucky who previously suggested the idea of putting a statue of McConnell in the state Capitol rotunda.

Andy Beshear

The Democratic Governor of Kentucky who requested the removal of the statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis from the state Capitol in 2020.

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What they’re saying

“I do this because there's not been anybody more influential in the last century or this century in the state of Kentucky — or maybe in the history of the state of Kentucky — as Sen. McConnell has been.”

— Robert Stivers, Kentucky Senate President

“People won't understand the influence that he has had probably until long after he has been gone, except maybe for people who watch politics and are involved in political situations like we are.”

— Robert Stivers, Kentucky Senate President

What’s next

The Historic Properties Advisory Commission will consider Stivers' resolution to add a statue of McConnell to the Kentucky Capitol rotunda. The state legislature will have final approval over any permanent displays in the space.

The takeaway

The proposal to honor Senator Mitch McConnell with a statue in the Kentucky Capitol rotunda highlights his long-standing influence in state and national politics, but also raises questions about how the state will choose to commemorate its political leaders in this prominent public space.