Reps Vote to Elect John Thune as New Senate Majority Leader
Nov 13, 2024 17:35:08 GMT -5
Post by schwartzie on Nov 13, 2024 17:35:08 GMT -5
Republicans Vote to Elect John Thune as New Senate Majority Leader
Frank Bergman
November 13, 2024 - 2:01 pm
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) has won a secret ballot to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as the Republican leader in the upper chamber.
As a result, Thune will be the Senate majority leader in the new Congress in January.
Thune will succeed McConnell, who is the longest-serving party leader in Senate history.
“I am extremely honored to have earned the support of my colleagues to lead the Senate in the 119th Congress, and I am beyond proud of the work we have done to secure our majority and the White House,” Thune said in a statement.
“This Republican team is united behind President Trump’s agenda, and our work starts today.”
No candidate reached a majority during the first secret ballot in the old Senate chamber on Wednesday morning.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who had received several prominent endorsements for the role, received the least amount of votes and was knocked out of the race.
The second secret ballot was between only Thune and Cornyn.
According to Thune’s office, he received 29 votes on the second ballot.
Cornyn received 24 votes.
Each of the candidates made a final pitch to their fellow Republican senators late Tuesday night.
The pitches were made during a forum held by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)
Scott left the meeting with two new public endorsements from both Lee and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Blackburn reportedly asked multiple questions during the discussion, including “how they would give conservatives a more meaningful voice in the Senate and for specific details as to how they would immediately implement President Trump’s mass deportation operation.”
Despite this, senators were not convinced by Scott’s pitch.
Prior to the elections, Thune had received public endorsements from Sens. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Hoeven (R-ND).
National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman Steve Daines (R-MT) was also privately encouraging other senators to support Thune.
Scott had the most public support, however.
Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Rand Paul (R-KY), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) all endorsed Scott.
Cornyn had only received one public endorsement from Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO).
The majority of GOP senators did not disclose ahead of time who they were casting their ballots for.
Rubio and Hagerty gave the two nominating speeches for Scott.
Meanwhile, Daines and Rounds did so for Thune.
It’s unclear who gave nominating speeches for Cornyn.
The new leader will assume the role in January.
link
Frank Bergman
November 13, 2024 - 2:01 pm
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) has won a secret ballot to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as the Republican leader in the upper chamber.
As a result, Thune will be the Senate majority leader in the new Congress in January.
Thune will succeed McConnell, who is the longest-serving party leader in Senate history.
“I am extremely honored to have earned the support of my colleagues to lead the Senate in the 119th Congress, and I am beyond proud of the work we have done to secure our majority and the White House,” Thune said in a statement.
“This Republican team is united behind President Trump’s agenda, and our work starts today.”
No candidate reached a majority during the first secret ballot in the old Senate chamber on Wednesday morning.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who had received several prominent endorsements for the role, received the least amount of votes and was knocked out of the race.
The second secret ballot was between only Thune and Cornyn.
According to Thune’s office, he received 29 votes on the second ballot.
Cornyn received 24 votes.
Each of the candidates made a final pitch to their fellow Republican senators late Tuesday night.
The pitches were made during a forum held by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)
Scott left the meeting with two new public endorsements from both Lee and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Blackburn reportedly asked multiple questions during the discussion, including “how they would give conservatives a more meaningful voice in the Senate and for specific details as to how they would immediately implement President Trump’s mass deportation operation.”
Despite this, senators were not convinced by Scott’s pitch.
Prior to the elections, Thune had received public endorsements from Sens. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Hoeven (R-ND).
National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman Steve Daines (R-MT) was also privately encouraging other senators to support Thune.
Scott had the most public support, however.
Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Rand Paul (R-KY), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) all endorsed Scott.
Cornyn had only received one public endorsement from Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO).
The majority of GOP senators did not disclose ahead of time who they were casting their ballots for.
Rubio and Hagerty gave the two nominating speeches for Scott.
Meanwhile, Daines and Rounds did so for Thune.
It’s unclear who gave nominating speeches for Cornyn.
The new leader will assume the role in January.
link
