Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has faced intense criticism from fellow Republicans in recent weeks, with some lawmakers questioning his leadership.

Yet while his own position may be growing precious, McConnell has expressed nothing but confidence over how his party will perform on election day. 

McConnell says this year's electoral map is "the best" he's seen "in a long time"

One source of optimism is West Virginia. The state has been represented since 2010 by moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who announced late last year that he will not seek another term in office.

Republicans are regarded as having a strong chance of flipping Manchin's seat given that West Virginia has a deep electorate which overwhelmingly backed former President Donald Trump.

The Republican Party is also targeting Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, who narrowly managed to secure reelection six years ago.

Montana Republican compares McConnell to Chuck Schumer

Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale is squaring off against former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy for the opportunity to challenge Tester, and he has made no secret of his animosity towards McConnell.

Fox News reported that Rosendale took aim at McConnell when announcing his candidacy earlier this month and even compared the longtime Kentucky lawmaker to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

🚨This morning, I officially filed for the U.S. Senate.

We’ve made great accomplishments in the House, only to see them die at the hands of Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer in the Senate.

Montanans want a Senator that fights for WE,THE PEOPLE, not the D.C. Cartel! pic.twitter.com/8ZkeCttCFj

— Matt Rosendale (@MattForMontana) February 9, 2024

"This morning, I officially filed for the U.S. Senate," Rosendale wrote in a post on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter.

McConnell unconcerned by critics

"We’ve made great accomplishments in the House, only to see them die at the hands of Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer in the Senate," he continued.

"Montanans want a Senator that fights for WE,THE PEOPLE, not the D.C. Cartel!" the congressman went on to insist.

For his part, McConnell told the Post that he is unconcerned about more opponents getting elected, saying, "You remember what Harry Truman said about if you want a friend in Washington, buy a dog?"

"Look, I don’t have a litmus test for what kind of a Republican [candidate I want]. I think our goal is to get to 51. And when you’re at 51, you control the agenda," he added.