Senator John Thune, currently serving as the Senate Minority Whip, has been elected by his Republican colleagues to become the new GOP Senate leader, succeeding longtime leader Mitch McConnell in January. The leadership election required two rounds of voting, with Senator Rick Scott, a strong contender, eliminated after the first ballot, leaving Thune and Senator John Cornyn as the final candidates. Thune ultimately secured the majority vote from the 53-member Republican conference during a closed-door session on Wednesday. Several high-profile endorsements helped Thune’s campaign, including support from Senators Markwayne Mullin, Mike Rounds, and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Steve Daines.

In contrast, Scott had strong backing from conservative senators like Ted Cruz and Rand Paul but failed to secure enough support after the first round. Each candidate made their case at a Tuesday forum hosted by Senator Mike Lee, where Scott emphasized his business background and proposed plans to empower conservative voices in the Senate. Thune’s win marks a new chapter for GOP leadership as he prepares to take over McConnell’s long-held role, with expectations high for his strategic approach and leadership style.