Senate Republicans have officially elected South Dakota Senator John Thune as their new leader, marking the first change at the top in nearly two decades. Thune edged out Texas Senator John Cornyn in a 29-24 vote, leaving Florida Senator Rick Scott in the dust after he was knocked out on the first ballot. Despite support from prominent Trump allies, including Elon Musk, Scott couldn’t muster the numbers to make it past round one.
Thune, currently the Senate Republican Whip, will now step into the position that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has held since 2007. McConnell’s exit comes on the heels of multiple health concerns, including a few too many “freezes” during press appearances that left many questioning his ability to continue leading.
At 72, McConnell’s career is marked by his reputation as a master of Senate procedure and, of course, his knack for outlasting critics on both sides of the aisle. However, even McConnell’s tenacity wasn’t enough to hold onto the top job as his health issues piled up.
Now, Thune’s taking the reins at a crucial time for Senate Republicans as they enter the chamber alongside a Republican-controlled House and a new Trump administration. His job? To coordinate with the White House on staffing, push GOP legislative priorities, and keep the conference unified—no small feat in today’s political landscape.
Thune’s election signals that the GOP establishment isn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for more populist candidates, as Rick Scott’s elimination showed. Scott may have won over Trump’s circle, but it wasn’t enough to sway the votes in a conference that, apparently, still leans toward steady, establishment figures like Thune.
BREAKING: Well-known Trump critic Sen. John Thune of South Dakota chosen as new Senate Majority leader, winning 29 votes.
Same old, tired faces making the same old, tired moves.
Instead of a leader who’ll actually put America First, we get a career politician who’s spent more… pic.twitter.com/yhZNJyvoQ8
— Hank ™ (@HANKonX) November 13, 2024
Although Trump didn’t publicly endorse any candidate, he made it clear he expected the next leader to support his administration’s use of recess appointments. Trump’s already looking ahead to how he’ll staff the White House, and he doesn’t want his nominees to be bogged down by Senate procedures. The message was loud and clear: any GOP leader worth their salt better be ready to back recess appointments so Trump can bypass lengthy confirmation battles.
Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner. Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more. This is…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 10, 2024
With Thune stepping into McConnell’s shoes, Senate Republicans are signaling they’re opting for experience over the populist shake-up that some of Trump’s allies had hoped for. And while McConnell may have announced his retirement amid health concerns, his fingerprints are still all over the GOP’s playbook—Thune’s leadership style isn’t expected to veer too far from the McConnell mold of cautious strategy and party unity.
The People wanted Scott, the Senate wanted Thune, McConnell’s protege. Senate wins,The People lose. pic.twitter.com/TM45mRNuyi
— John Rich🇺🇸 (@johnrich) November 13, 2024
So, with Thune now at the helm, Senate Republicans are heading into the Trump era once again, aiming for a mix of stability and conservative priorities. Whether Thune will keep Trump and his populist allies satisfied remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: Senate Republicans are bracing for a new chapter that’s bound to blend old-guard maneuvering with the demands of a newly-empowered Trump White House.
