John Thune of South Dakota Elected Senate Majority Leader, Succeeding McConnell After 18 Years

Nov 13, 2024, 05:29 PM

Senator John Thune of South Dakota has been elected as the new Senate Majority Leader, succeeding Mitch McConnell, who is stepping down after 18 years as the longest-serving Senate leader in history. Thune, 63, won the secret ballot among Republican senators, defeating Senator John Cornyn of Texas and Senator Rick Scott of Florida. In the first round of voting, Rick Scott, a MAGA favorite backed by allies of President-elect Donald Trump, was eliminated. In the second round, Thune defeated Cornyn with a vote of 29 to 24. Previously serving as the Republican Whip since 2019, Thune is an advocate of free trade and is expected to play a key role in advancing President-elect Donald Trump's agenda. He stated, "This team is united behind President Trump's agenda, and our work starts today." With Republicans holding a 53-seat majority in the Senate, Thune will be the most powerful Republican on Capitol Hill as they control the presidency, Senate, and House.