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Senate Republicans have chosen Sen. 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.
The Wednesday vote, conducted by secret ballot, pitted Thune, the current GOP whip, against former whip Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. All three ran on executing Trump’s agenda.
Scott lost in the first round of voting. The final tally was 29 for Thune and 24 for Cornyn, NBC News reported.
Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming was elected as GOP whip, his spokesperson told NBC News. He ran for the No. 2 spot unopposed.
Thune will serve as majority leader for the next two years. His election also formally marks the end of Mitch McConnell’s 18-year reign over the Republican caucus in the Senate.
Thune and Cornyn, both institutionalists, ran largely traditional campaigns in which they touted their experience and fundraising prowess to their colleagues. Both men opposed Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, but their respective relationships with the president-elect have since gotten cozier.
By contrast, Scott, a fierce MAGA ally, appealed to the party’s extremist elements outside of the Senate, winning endorsements from the likes of billionaire Elon Musk, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and far-right agitator Laura Loomer. But within the Senate, Scott failed to gain significant support among his colleagues, making him a long-shot candidate.
Trump stayed out of the contest but did make public demands that the incoming majority leader allow him to make recess appointments to his Cabinet, letting his administration picks skirt the Senate confirmation process. Thune, Cornyn and Scott quickly agreed.
As Senate majority leader, Thune may run up against Trump's efforts to impose his will on Congress. Trump had a contentious relationship with McConnell during his first term, and the hostility between them grew after McConnell recognized President Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. But McConnell ultimately endorsed Trump's 2024 campaign.
It remains to be seen how far Thune may allow Trump to assert his influence over the Senate GOP. In a statement after the vote, he said he was “extremely honored” to be chosen as majority leader.
“This Republican team is united behind President Trump’s agenda, and our work starts today,” Thune said.