Washington – Senate Republicans on Wednesday Senator John Thune was elected leaderConsecration of a new standard bearer to replace mitch mcconnell At the top of the party in the upper house.
South Dakota Republican set to lead Senate as majority leader in new Congress Republicans flipped the House In the elections of 2024.
Who is John Thune?
Thune, 63, currently serves as GOP whip, the No. 2 Republican role. With a long history in leadership, he chaired the Senate Republican Policy Committee from 2009 to 2011, and served as conference chair from 2012 to 2018.
After representing South Dakota in the House, the South Dakota Republican was first elected to the Senate in 2004. Before coming to Congress, Thune served at the Small Business Administration under former President Ronald Reagan and as executive director of the South Dakota Republican Party.
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Thune is highly respected in the conference and is seen as a leader capable of taking over the reins long held by McConnell.
Thune's history with Trump
The South Dakota Republican has not always had a strong relationship with the president-elect, and was critical of his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and attack on the capitol On January 6, 2021.
Thune initially supported Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina in the Republican presidential primary.
But Thune has worked to improve relations in recent months, and has promised to work with the president-elect to advance his priorities as he moves forward in the leadership race.
After being elected to the position on Wednesday, Thune said the new Senate majority is eager to work to “implement President Trump's agenda,” noting that “the Republican team is united.”
Thune promised to deliver on Trump's priorities, while ensuring that “the President and his team have the power to enforce border security, streamline the bureaucratic machine,” overturn “costly” regulations, and restore energy dominance. Have the tools and support needed to work.
“I am excited to get to work with this team immediately,” Thune said.