Senate Republicans have elected John Thune of South Dakota as their leader for the upcoming term, choosing an experienced insider despite calls from supporters of President-elect Donald Trump to select a more loyal figure. Thune’s win, following a three-way race, signals that the Senate may retain a measure of independence from Trump’s influence as Republicans prepare to hold at least 52 seats in the 100-member Senate. The GOP will also likely retain control of the House, pending a few final results.
Thune, currently the Senate’s second-ranking Republican, is respected for his calm demeanor and legislative expertise. He will take over from 82-year-old Mitch McConnell, the Senate’s longest-serving Republican leader. Thune, first elected in 2004, defeated Senators John Cornyn of Texas, another seasoned Republican, and Rick Scott of Florida, a Trump ally backed by prominent conservatives like Elon Musk and Sean Hannity.
Though Trump hadn’t officially endorsed a candidate, some of his staunch supporters advocated for Scott, a relative newcomer with a hardline stance, arguing he’d be better suited to help Trump bypass standard procedures for approving Cabinet nominees. Both Thune and Cornyn, however, emphasized their openness to Trump’s agenda while maintaining that the role requires someone with established relationships within the Senate.
“I don’t think it’s worth the president using his political capital to interfere in the race,” commented Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Thune supporter.
