WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans selected Sen. John Thune of South Dakota for another two years as their conference leader on Tuesday, choosing continuity even as the party prepares to enter the minority following sweeping midterm defeats.
Thune, 65, faced no formal challenger and secured the position by acclamation after GOP lawmakers convened behind closed doors for hours in the Old Senate Chamber, CBS News and the New York Post reported. The rest of the party’s top leadership was also returned to power, with Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming staying on as whip and Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas remaining conference chair.
A Conservative Push to Delay
The leadership vote proceeded only after the conference rejected an effort by a conservative faction to postpone the contest. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin had pushed to delay the decision until the party could fully examine the midterm results, gathering backing from several conservative lawmakers, including Sens. Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah, Ted Budd of North Carolina, and John Kennedy of Louisiana.
Before selecting their leadership, senators voted 31 to 15 to move ahead immediately rather than hold off, according to the New York Post. Following the vote, Johnson walked out of the room.
Johnson stated on social media that an election loss of such scale required change, adding that he would not take part in standard procedure, the New York Post reported. Speaking with journalists later, Johnson clarified that his concern was not an attack on Thune, whom he said had faced unfair criticism from the party’s base, but argued lawmakers needed a strategic plan.
Other lawmakers noted that despite the frustration over the election, no rival stepped forward to challenge Thune. Sen. Jim Justice of West Virginia remarked that while there was a valid question about keeping leadership after a heavy loss, no alternative candidate emerged, according to the New York Post.
Confronting a Shrunken Minority
The internal party debate followed a bruising election cycle in which Democrats gained at least seven Republican-held seats across the country. Democratic candidates captured races in Iowa, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Texas, while uncalled races in Alaska and Mississippi also leaned toward Democrats, the outlets reported.
When the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3, Thune will guide a minority composed of no more than 46 senators. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky told reporters that while an initial meeting featured heavy dissent, he did not place blame for the election defeats on Thune, saying voters were not casting ballots against the Senate leader.
President Donald Trump remained neutral ahead of the gathering. Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump referred to Thune as a “very fine man” but said the leadership selection belonged entirely to the senators, according to the New York Post.
Next Steps in the Lame-Duck Session
Thune took over the top GOP role following the 2024 elections, succeeding long-serving Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. During his initial two years in charge, Thune steered the passage of major tax, defense, and border measures alongside the White House, while also navigating two prolonged federal government shutdowns, CBS News reported. Tensions had surfaced between congressional leadership and conservative members over measures such as the SAVE America Act, an election bill backed by Trump that lacked sufficient Senate support to pass.
In a statement released after the vote, Thune thanked his colleagues for their backing and pledged to resist Democratic legislative priorities. In floor remarks following the midterms, Thune acknowledged that the election was painful but described it as a signal to redouble efforts addressing consumer affordability.
Republicans now turn their attention to the upcoming lame-duck legislative session, their final opportunity to advance priorities under full majority control before Democrats take over the Senate chamber in January.
