McConnell had recruited Pompeo to run for Senate to guarantee the seat would stay in the hands of the Republican Party after the retirement of Sen. Pat Roberts. Pompeo had regularly visited Kansas and was consulting with Ward Baker, a prominent GOP strategist close to McConnell. “Leader McConnell spoke with Secretary Pompeo this afternoon where he indicated he will not be running for Senate. Leader McConnell believes Secretary Pompeo is doing an incredible job as Secretary of State and is exactly where the country needs him right now,” the person said. ADFor weeks, people close to Pompeo said he had misgivings about becoming a relatively junior senator from Kansas after leading the State Department and the CIA.

Source: Washington Post January 06, 2020 23:28 UTC