Sen. John Thune (R-SD) was selected as the next Republican leader of the U.S. Senate, succeeding Mitch McConnell.
Thune defeated Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) in what was a hotly contested race. Scott was eliminated after the first ballot, and Thune won on the second, 29-24, according to Punchbowl News.
First elected in 2004, Thune has most recently served as minority whip. He will enter the next Congress as majority leader, one of Washington’s most powerful positions in that he will direct which legislation will make it to the Senate chamber for a vote.
Republicans are expected to have a 53-47 majority in the next Congress, after four years of Democratic rule. Coupled with an expected GOP majority in the House, Republicans will have full control of Congress and the executive branch, as well as a conservative majority on the Supreme Court.
Trump did not endorse in the race. But the incoming president will loom large over Thune’s tenure, putting pressure on him to quickly pass his agenda and slate of nominees. During his first term, Trump at times took to Twitter to criticize McConnell, and later used a racist term to attack McConnell’s wife.
More to come.
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