The No. 2 Republican in the Senate, Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD), revealed on Monday that he is interested in replacing Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as leader of the Senate GOP.
Thune follows Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in stating that he intends to compete for the position that McConnell has held for 16 years.
During an interview with KELOLAND News, a local CBS affiliate in South Dakota, Thune was asked whether he wants to be Senate majority or minority leader.
“I hope to be. And I’m going to do everything I can to convince my colleagues. They’re the voters. They’re the ones who will ultimately make the decision,” Thune said.
SD's @SenJohnThune, currently the Republican Party's whip in the Senate, says he is aiming for a higher role in that chamber in the wake of McConnell's planned departure. Much more coming later today on @keloland and on social media, but here's part of today's interview: pic.twitter.com/Sap33Ah1IT
— Dan Santella (@KELODanS) March 4, 2024
Thune has served in the Senate for nearly two decades, winning his first term in the 2004 election. He was elected GOP whip in 2018 and took over the position from term-limited Cornyn.
Like Cornyn, Thune has endorsed former President Donald Trump in this year’s White House race. Thune voted in line with Trump’s position 91.4% of the time when Trump was in office, according to FiveThirty Eight, slightly below the score received by Cornyn.
Other Republicans who are being talked about as potential candidates for GOP leader include Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY), Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), and NRSC Chairman Steve Daines (R-MT).
An election is expected in November and the winner will take over for McConnell in January of next year.
When McConnell announced his plans to step aside last week, the 82-year-old said, “It’s time for the next generation of leadership.”
The Kentucky Republican also indicated that he plans to stay in the Senate until his term ends in early 2027.
“I still have enough gas in my tank to thoroughly disappoint my critics and I intend to do so with all the enthusiasm with which they’ve become accustomed,” McConnell said.
In his interview with KELOLAND News, Thune took aim at President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
“As we look at a new generation of consistent, principled, conservative leadership in the United States Senate that empowers our Senate Republicans, that puts a check and balance against the Schumer, what has been a very liberal Schumer/Biden agenda, I’m prepared to lead that effort,” he said.