Like McConnell, Thune hails from the Republican Party’s traditional wing. He has held the Republican whip position since 2019.
By Mary Clare Jalonick and Stephen Groves, Associated PressSenate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., offers remarks following the Senate Republican policy luncheon at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.
Republicans are replacing Kentucky’s McConnell, the longest serving Senate party leader, as they prepare to take majority control with the 53 seats they won in last week’s elections. Scott has run an insurgent campaign outside of the Senate, campaigning publicly as the candidate closest to Trump and winning endorsements from people who are close to the former and future president. Scott received an outpouring of support on X over the weekend as Trump allies, including Elon Musk, pushed his bid.
When Trump posted on X Sunday that the new leader “must agree” to allow him to appoint Cabinet members and others when the Senate is on recess, avoiding confirmation votes, all three quickly signaled they were open to the idea. Unlike most previous contests, there is no clear front-runner going into the election. Because senators are casting secret ballots, the majority won’t say who they are voting for. And some may never tell.
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