Mitch McConnell's 2-month disappearance takes surprising turn with private campaign talks

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Mitch McConnell discussed the Michigan Senate race and Maine with former aide Scott Jennings while remaining out of public view during recovery, The Daily Beast reported on Friday, August 14.

McConnell has not directly updated the public since his June 14 fall, while only a few people say they have spoken with him.

Jennings said McConnell called him and described being home as an improvement after leaving rehabilitation.

Mitch McConnell is still talking campaigns privately

Jennings, a conservative CNN commentator who previously worked for McConnell, said the senator called him directly on Tuesday and talked through the Senate map.

“We talked a lot about the Michigan Senate race. We talked about Maine a little bit, talking about just the map in general,” Jennings told CNN.

The conversation offers a glimpse of McConnell remaining involved in campaign discussions even as his public schedule and return to Washington remain uncertain.

Jennings has said he has been speaking with his former boss, including as recently as this week. The Daily Beast reported that McConnell has spoken with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Whip John Barrasso.

McConnell has otherwise remained behind closed doors since he was rushed to a Washington, DC, hospital on June 14, after falling and becoming briefly unconscious, according to his team.

Mitch McConnell's recovery remains largely private

McConnell’s team has released only two images of the 84-year-old since he disappeared from public view. 

He has made no calls to news outlets, despite claims that he has spoken with multiple allies, and he has provided no video updates to Kentuckians.

His team last updated the public August 6 in a statement attributed to McConnell. 

It said he had been discharged from rehabilitation and would continue recovering at home while he “maintains an intensive regimen of physical therapy.”

The statement also indicated that McConnell would continue working on Senate business, providing the clearest recent indication from his team that he remains engaged with his duties. 

It did not provide a timeline for his return to public appearances or regular Senate activity.

The Senate is in a five-week recess, and lawmakers are not set to return until mid-September.

It is also unclear whether McConnell will return to Kentucky during the recess or whether he will be back in the Capitol when senators return.

Questions remain over Mitch McConnell's return

McConnell’s Chief of Staff Terry Carmack has been among the people seen entering and leaving the senator’s Washington townhouse. 

Carmack has not answered questions about McConnell’s condition.

The lack of a public appearance has continued even as a handful of people have said they remain in contact with McConnell.

His team has offered limited information about his condition beyond the August 6 update.

McConnell has also continued receiving his Senate salary during his two months away from public view. Senators receive a base annual salary of $174,000.