Blunt's retirement deals blow to McConnell inner circle

The surprise retirement of Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) means another member of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) inner circle is leaving the Senate as the GOP shifts more toward former President Trump’s brand of conservative populism.

Blunt’s announcement comes six week after another member of McConnell’s leadership team, Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), said he wouldn’t be seeking reelection next year.

Two other McConnell allies — Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) — are also leaving Congress at the end of 2022.

GOP strategists and aides say Blunt’s decision was likely influenced by Republicans unexpectedly losing their Senate majority in January.