Thune Has Been Named the Senate Leader

Source: Bill Clark / Getty

WASHINGTON–South Dakota’s John Thune is the new leader of Senate Republicans.

Thune and Texas’ John Cornyn faced off in a secret vote after Florida’s Rick Scott was eliminated in the first round ballot for Senate Majority Leader.

Thune will replace Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell, who is stepping aside as Republican leader.

Thune will be the first Senate Party Leader to have originally taken office as a Senator in the 21st Century.

Indiana Republican Senator Todd Young congratulated Thune.

“We had three outstanding candidates running for Senate Leader. All three are friends who put forward good ideas. Our conference moves forward united to work with the incoming Trump Administration,” said Young in a statement on X.