Only two of the so-called “three Johns” will be competing to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as leader of the Senate GOP.
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) revealed on Tuesday that he would not join Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and John Thune (R-SD) in the race for the top position, and instead will vie for Republican whip, the No. 2 spot.
“I have had time to reflect on how I might best serve the Republican Conference and our country,” Barrasso said in a statement. “After a lot of thought, I will ask my colleagues for their support and help to work for them as the Assistant Republican Leader.”
Barrasso, an orthopedic surgeon-turned-lawmaker, has served in the upper chamber since 2007. He is currently the No. 3 Republican in the Senate, serving as chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.
If he were to take on the role of Republican whip, which is currently held by Thune, Barrasso would be tasked with performing head counts and rallying members of the party for votes and quorum calls.
Barrasso has endorsed former President Donald Trump in the 2024 White House race. He voted in line with Trump’s position 89.1% of the time when Trump was in office, according to FiveThirtyEight.
Leadership elections are expected to take place in November. Winners will take over their new roles in January.
McConnell, who is 82, announced his plans to step aside as GOP leader last week. “It’s time for the next generation of leadership,” he said. Still, the Kentucky Republican indicated that he plans to stay in the Senate until his term ends in early 2027.
So far, two members have expressed plans to compete for the Senate GOP leader role: Cornyn and Thune.
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Other Republicans who are being talked about as potential candidates for GOP leader include Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who ran an unsuccessful campaign in 2022 to take the leadership position from McConnell, and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Steve Daines (R-MT).
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) reportedly told radio host Hugh Hewitt on Tuesday that he is running to replace Barrasso as chairman of the Senate Republican conference.