Staff Reports
In a shocking turn of events, Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) has thrown his hat into the ring for Senate leader, hot on the heels of Mitch McConnell’s announcement that he will be stepping down from the post in November. It’s a bold move, and it’s turning heads all over Washington.
Thune has been making the rounds, chatting with his colleagues and getting the inside scoop on what they want from the next Senate Republican leader. And let’s just say, the conversations have been “great.” He’s not in any hurry to make it official, though. According to a spokesperson, he’s planning to have some “substantive conversations” in the coming days and weeks, but he’s keeping those hush-hush for now.
John Thune teases run for GOP Senate leader: ‘Great conversations’ – Washington Examiner https://t.co/jAfyc0PSZE
— TruthWillCome2.0 (@Foodie2400) February 29, 2024
Meanwhile, his potential rival, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), wasted no time in throwing his hat into the ring. Thune may be the early favorite due to his role as minority whip, but Cornyn is also a contender. And then there’s Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), who’s also eyeing the leadership position. It’s a regular “John-fest.”
The race for Senate leader is shaping up to be a marathon, not a sprint. The election won’t take place until November, and it’s going to be all about convincing their colleagues that they can bring the fractured Republican conference together. Plus, they’ll have to cozy up to Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president.
Thune and Trump have a bit of a rocky history, just like Thune and Cornyn. They both wanted the party to move on from Trump after his loss in 2020. Cornyn just endorsed Trump in January, and he even gave him a ring to let him know he’s running for Senate leader. Thune, on the other hand, hasn’t had a heart-to-heart with Trump about the race, but he’s made it clear that he’d be a valuable asset if Trump snags a second term in the White House.
And just to seal the deal, Thune endorsed Trump’s bid for president, making him the top dog among Senate Republicans to back the former president’s candidacy. With a record of accomplishments under his belt, Thune is showing that he’s all in. It’s a showdown for the ages, folks.
