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PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WYMT) - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made a stop in Pikeville Wednesday, speaking to members of the Pikeville Rotary Club and Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

During the luncheon, hosted at the Bob Amos Overlook Events Center, McConnell discussed policies, plans for the future, and more.

“I’m going to lobby whichever administration we have to deal in advance with the foreign policy and defense issues. Secondly, I’ve always tried to focus on Kentucky and I’m going to focus even more on Kentucky,” said McConnell.

McConnell discussed issues with inflation- which he attributed largely as a response to the current administration’s COVID-19 relief efforts- and brought up concerns about foreign policy and national defense, saying that will be much of his focus for the next couple of years.

“Even though I’m not gonna be leader of the Republican party of the senate next year, I’m still going be in the senate. And I’m going to spend a good deal of time on this issue,” said McConnell.

According to members, McConnell’s visit was beneficial and sparked conversations while informing the area’s leaders.

“So, these community leaders that we have- and it’s all aspects of the business world and education world- that have gone and made a commitment to service above self,” said Rotary President Novella Froman.

However, outside of politics, members say McConnell was the perfect speaker for the group, since its large focus is eradicating polio- a virus of which McConnell is a survivor.

“Senator McConnell is a huge supporter of the global polio eradication program. And he being a survivor of polio himself,” said rotary member, Dr. Rakesh Sachdeva. “We are sure that, over the next two to three years, polio will be eradicated off of the face of the earth.”

Froman said it was a great meeting of the minds, kicking off her first year as president with a memorable lunch and learn.