For the first time in nearly 20 years, Republicans in the US Senate have a new leader following two vote rounds. Politico Senate writer Ursula Perano reports that Senator John Thune (R-SD) was chosen by his colleagues to succeed longstanding leader Mitch McConnell in a 29-24 vote.
After the first round of voting, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), who was supported by President-elect Donald Trump’s allies and the most conservative Republicans in Congress, was removed from consideration. After Scott was eliminated, Thune and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), who had received the most votes, faced off against each other, and Thune won.
After being elected to the Senate in 2004, Thune now has the difficult job of stepping in for longstanding leader Mitch McConnell. Despite making many enemies on the right during his tenure in office, McConnell left behind an impressive legacy as president. During the latter part of former President Barack Obama’s second term, he prevented Merrick Garland from rising to the Supreme Court, and during Trump’s first term, he overloaded the courts with conservative judges. However, political infighting has tarnished McConnell’s legacy, particularly since January 6, 2021. He has frequently criticized the party’s expanding anti-war side and famously refused to support MAGA-aligned Senate candidates in contests that could be won in 2022 and 2024.
Thune will want to demonstrate his abilities as a surging With a clear mandate to govern the nation and a daring program that is likely to encounter fierce opposition from Senate Democrats and the media, Trump returns to Washington, D.C. Given the upper chamber’s independence, many people think Trump made the right decision by staying out of the leadership competition and refusing to support a candidate.
Bernie Moreno (R-OH), the senator-elect, congratulated his colleague and future leader on X.
“I would like to congratulate Senator Thune on being elected Senate Majority Leader. I’m excited to work with Senator Thune, who will play a key role in carrying out President Trump’s America-First agenda. For their assistance in my victory and their services to the Senate Republican caucus, I am appreciative of all three candidates,” Moreno wrote.
At the Texas Republican Party’s 2022 convention, Cornyn, a comparatively liberal Republican, was famously jeered as she left the podium.