Watch: Sen. Mitch McConnell freezes again during a press conference in Northern Kentucky

COVINGTON, Ky. – Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze up during a press conference in Northern Kentucky on Wednesday.

The episode came about a month after the Kentucky Republican froze during a press conference on Capitol Hill. Aides said after Wednesday's event he would see a doctor.

Speaking at a press conference after a lunch with business leaders, McConnell was asked about his plans to run in 2026, McConnell responded "I’m sorry, I had a hard time hearing you."

When the question was repeated, he asked, "What are my thoughts about what?" Then he mumbled something inaudible.

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He then stared straight ahead and gripped the podium without saying anything for about 30 seconds. During that time an aide asked him if he heard the question and repeated it. The aide then apologized and said they would "need a minute."

Another aide whispered something before McConnell said "OK." McConnell never answered the first question. He moved on to another question about Kentucky Republican gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron. The aide repeated, "Senator, Daniel Cameron. You have a comment on Daniel Cameron?"

McConnell then resumed the press conference saying "I think the governor's race is going to be very close."

He took one more question about Trump's latest indictment in Georgia on trying to overthrow the election.

"I'm not going to comment about the presidential race," he said.

Why did Mitch McConnell freeze up?

When the lunch event was over, the 81-year old senator left the room very slowly.

McConnell's office later sent a statement that the senator "felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today."  An aide, in the email, stated that McConnell feels fine and will consult with a physician before his next event.

Why was Mitch McConnell in Northern Kentucky?

Prior to the press conference, McConnell addressed business leaders at the lunch event without incident. He spoke for about 15 minutes slowly and softly but didn't stumble. He even dropped in jokes.

"I'm wired here like a suicide bomber," McConnell joked about his microphone attached to him as he took to the podium. The crowd, made up of members of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, laughed in the banquet hall of the Madison Event Center in Covington, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.

He then described what's it like to be the leader of the Republican Party in the Senate.

"It's a little bit like being the groundskeeper in a cemetery," McConnell said as a chuckle rippled through the audience. "Everybody is under you but no one is listening."

He talked about the Brent Spence Bridge project and his support for U.S. aid to Ukraine in the war against Russia.

"Here we have a group of people fighting for their independence, dismantling the military of one of our biggest adversaries, and people think this is a bad idea," McConnell said. "Ronald Reagan would turn over in his grave thinking a Republican would feel it’s not important to stand up to the Russians."

After his 15-minute speech, McConnell made his way back to his table. The press conference occurred in a smaller room at the banquet hall with only press and aides in attendance.

First elected to the Senate in 1984, McConnell is the longest-serving party leader in Senate history.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mitch McConnell freezes up again: What happened in Northern Kentucky