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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Senate Republicans reelected John Thune of South Dakota as their leader Tuesday, meaning the uncontested incumbent will serve as Senate minority leader when the new Congress convenes in January following the GOP’s midterm losses.
Thune currently is the Senate majority leader. The vote came after hours of internal debate among Senate Republicans over whether to postpone their leadership elections, with some members pushing for more time to reckon with the party’s sweeping midterm defeats before choosing its next leadership team. Republicans ultimately decided to move forward with the votes Tuesday afternoon. House Republicans also chose their next leader on Tuesday, electing Jim Jordan of Ohio over Steve Scalise of Louisiana to serve as House minority leader as the GOP prepares to relinquish control of both chambers.
“I appreciated the opportunity to have an open, honest, and transparent conversation with my colleagues today, and I am honored to have their continued trust and support to lead the Senate Republican Conference in the 120th Congress,” Thune posted on X on Tuesday afternoon after the vote. “I am proud of what this Republican team has accomplished together, and we remain united in our commitment to advancing conservative priorities, working with President Trump and our colleagues in the House, and holding the line against Democrats’ efforts to enact their far-left, liberal agenda.”
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President Donald Trump praised Thune on Monday night when speaking with reporters before the vote was held Tuesday.
“He’s a very fine man, I know him very well,” Trump said, adding that it was up to the Senate to decide if they wanted him to lead Republicans for the next Congress. “I like John Thune.”
Trump then criticized the Senate and urged the upper chamber to “get more produced.”
This is a breaking story. Updates to follow.
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