Now that Republicans have secured control of the Senate, all eyes are on the race to lead the new GOP majority in the upper chamber ahead of next week’s vote.
Republicans successfully reclaimed majority of the Senate, securing 53 seats so far while having flipped several of them in the 2024 election. Nevada and Arizona are still counting ballots as of Friday.
The new leader will replace Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the chamber’s longest-serving leader. McConnell announced earlier this year that he would step down from Senate leadership in the new term.
The incoming leader would be taking on an influential role in Congress, working with committee chairs and ranking members to push a legislative agenda. The individual is also tasked with the messaging and fundraising for the GOP come January 2025.
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) have all publicly announced they are seeking the position.
Sen. John Thune
Thune currently serves as the number two Republican leader, the Senate GOP whip.
From 2007 to 2009, Thune served as the Republican chief deputy whip. He also chaired the Senate Republican Policy Committee from 2009 to 2012.
Thune has been endorsed by Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).
The senator from South Dakota on Thursday said he would prefer President-elect Donald Trump refrain from making an endorsement in the three-way contest, even though he acknowledged that Trump would have a “considerable amount of influence” on the race.
“My preference would be, and I think it’s probably in his best interest, to stay out of that,” Thune said during an interview with CNBC. “These Senate secret ballot elections are probably best left to senators, and he’s got to work with all of us when it’s all said and done.”
Sen. John Cornyn
Texas Sen. John Cornyn is considered Thune’s chief rival for the top spot.
Cornyn was the first senator to announce that he would be vying for McConnell’s spot. He served as McConnell’s second in command in leadership before he left the role due to term limits.
Cornyn was first elected to the Senate in 2002 and became a prominent member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the GOP conference.
“From my experience both as Whip advancing President Trump’s agenda through the Senate to serving as a rank-and-file member now, I have learned what works and what does not,” Cornyn wrote in a statement after Republicans secured the majority.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo) has publicly endorsed Cornyn for the top Senate post, citing his ability to raise money for competitive Senate races.
Sen. Rick Scott
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) is once again running for the role.
After securing reelection to a second term, the conservative from Trump’s home state of Florida recently said that he’s confident that his fellow Republicans will support him for the leadership position
“I’m going to win. And here’s why. I’ve been talking to my Republican colleagues, Guess what? They want change,” Scott told Fox Business host Larry Kudlow on Wednesday. “They know that Donald Trump has a mandate. They want to be part of that mandate. They want to be treated as equals. They want to be part of a team. They want to have a working relationship with the House.”
Scott also said that he has a great working relationship with Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
As for endorsements, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) has announced he would be backing Scott for the role.
The Vote: A Closed-Door Affair
The Senate Republican Conference will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 13, to elect its leader.
That vote will be held behind closed doors. Additionally, Wednesday’s secret tally will only include members who will be in office once the new Congress convenes next year.
Meanwhile, control of the U.S. House of Representatives remains up for grabs as of Friday morning. But House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) recently suggested a Republican trifecta: the presidency, the Senate, and the House.
“With unified Republican government, if we meet this historic moment together, the next two years can result in the most consequential Congress of the modern era,” Johnson said in the letter to colleagues on Wednesday.
While the fate of the House is still unknown, lawmakers from both chambers will be sworn in for the 119th Congress on Jan. 3, 2025.