Mitch McConnell to step down as US Senate Republican leader in November

Mitch McConnell will step down as Senate Republican leader (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving US Senate leader in history, who maintained his power in the face of dramatic convulsions in the Republican Party for almost two decades, will step down in November.

Mr McConnell, who turned 82 last week, announced his decision on Wednesday in the well of the Senate, a place where he looked in awe from its back benches in 1985 when he arrived and where he grew increasingly comfortable in the front row seat afforded the party leaders.