A runoff in the Senate saw South Dakota Senator John Thune emerge victorious to become the new leader of Senate Republicans, replacing Mitch McConnell’s 18-year tenure. Thune will become the next majority leader of the Senate after he outvoted his contenders, including Texas Senator John Cornyn and Florida Senator Rick Scott.
Thune, 63, is considered a sound institutionalist who has very strong relationships within the Republican caucus. His victory follows the elimination in the first round of Scott, one of President-elect Donald Trump’s most fiery supporters. Thune received 23 votes in the first round, defeating McConnell ally Cornyn who drew 15 votes, and fellow Republican senator Scott, who won just 13 votes after influential figures like Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson had aligned themselves behind him.
Thune clinched the final round with 29 votes for him defeating Cornyn by a big margin. Thune said, “I’m honored. Extremely honored,” promising to unite the party behind Trump’s agenda. His leadership will take effect starting January as the 119th Congress begins.
That Thune emerged on top suggests a continuation of the Republican Party’s focus on legislative experience, unlike Scott, who would be an outsider. Donald Trump did not endorse anyone outright, but again, Thune’s victory speaks to the need for a Senate that wants some form of independence from a new administration.
Thune’s leadership team includes deputy Wyoming Senator John Barrasso and conference chair Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton. Despite past critical remarks about Trump, Thune has established a professional rapport with the president-elect, which may well bode for a cooperative relationship between the Senate and the Trump administration.
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