Senate Republicans elect John Thune as majority leader after election win

Senate Republicans have selected Senator John Thune of South Dakota as the new majority leader, ushering in a new era of leadership in the Senate for President-elect Donald Trump’s second term.

Wednesday’s vote, which took place by secret ballot, came to nothing Thune, the current GOP whip, against former whip Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. All three were busy carrying out Trump’s agenda.

Scott lost in the first round of voting. The final number was 29 for Thune and 24 for Cornyn, NBC News reported.

Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming was elected GOP whip, his spokesman told NBC News. He ran unopposed into the No. 2 spot.

Thune will serve as majority leader for the next two years. His election also formal marks the end of Mitch McConnell’s 18-year reign over the Senate Republican caucus.

Thune and Cornyn, both institutional, ran largely traditional campaigns in which they showcased their fundraising experience and prowess to their peers. Both men opposed Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, but their respective relationships with the president-elect have since become cozier.

Scott, a fierce MAGA ally, on the other hand, appealed to the party’s extremist elements outside the Senate and received support from billionaire Elon Musk, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and far-right agitator Laura Loomer, among others. But within the Senate, Scott failed to gain significant support among his colleagues, making him a long-shot candidate.

Trump stayed out of the fray but publicly demanded that the new majority leader allow him to make recess appointments to his Cabinet, allowing his administration picks to bypass the Senate confirmation process. Thune, Cornyn and Scott quickly agreed.

As Senate majority leader, Thune could come into contact with Trump’s attempts to impose his will on Congress. Trump had a contentious relationship with McConnell during his first term, and animosity between them grew after McConnell acknowledged President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. But McConnell ultimately supported Trump’s 2024 campaign.

It remains to be seen to what extent Thune will allow Trump to assert his influence over the Republican Senate. In a statement after the vote, he said he was “extremely honored” to be elected majority leader.

“This Republican team stands united behind President Trump’s agenda, and our work begins today,” Thune said.