Hes a deliberate person. The South Dakota senator highlighted the Republican victories, suggesting they are a 'repudiation' of the Democrats' big-government approach. And I never rule anything out, Thune said in a Tuesday interview. "It's time for new, America First leadership in the Senate.". When McConnell lost the majority leadership, University of Kentucky political science professor Stephen Voss said that didn't put the commonwealth in danger of seeing a big drop in federal assistance. But that doesnt mean theyll get the sort of traction they did with Democratic majorities in Congress that generally facilitated centrists work, while usually just a minority of Senate Republicans voted for any bipartisan deals. "I'm going to be running again for leader later this year," he told reporters Tuesday when asked how long he plans to hold onto his job. | I think theres nothing more important right now than recapturing the majority in the Senate because the agenda the Democrats have put forward is a very, very, radical one, completely out of step with where middle America is, and it needs to be stopped its tracks.". CNN contacted the 16 Senate Republicans up for reelection in 2022 on Thursday about whether they still back McConnell and just three responded. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Monaco also spoke on the FBIs mishandling of the Olympic gymnast sexual abuse case and threats against school board officials and educators. Under Scott, the NRSC took a hands-off approach to GOP primaries, embracing those candidates in the general election. But some Republicans have raised questions about whether he can effectively serve as leader while his relationship with the former president remains strained. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) Daily News Update are also viewed as jockeying for the top spot. I have a hard time seeing how they get out of the hole by next November., THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. McConnell had lobbied his second-in-command to run for reelection in the solidly red state where Thune enjoys broad support. Legal Statement. I dont own this job, McConnell said afterward. No. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), a Trump ally and former college football coach, said McConnell's doing a "good job," shrugging off the former president's scathing criticism of the leader. He's also the bestselling author of "The Impostors: How Republicans Quit Governing and Seized American Politics.". President Trump is well liked up here, Clary said. They don't see what goes on behind the scenes, the organization, the planning, getting people to work together.". McConnell, during a recent interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, predicted that Republicans have a great cycle with a good chance of getting the majority back., The atmosphere is terrible [for Democrats], he added. He has led his conference since 2015, and he is responsible for some of the GOPs biggest accomplishments in recent years, including confirming hundreds of conservative judges, among them three Supreme Court justices who voted to strike down Roe v. Wade earlier this year. The 61-year-old once mulled running for president but has committed himself to the Senate after passing on national ambitions. If youre going to assess blame for election losses, I dont know how you trade in the leader for the chairman of the NRSC, Cramer mused to reporters on Tuesday. Leader McConnell has my full support and confidence. Thune mulled for nearly a year on whether to run for a fourth term representing South Dakota. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota says the eventual possibility of succeeding longtime Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell in steering Republicans in the chamber was "a factor" in his decision to run for reelection this year. McConnell made his statement a few days after his top deputy, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said the GOP is fortunate to have the three Johns to choose from. CNN On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell went public with what has long been suspected: He has no plans to leave the Senate even if his party loses its majority in November. As the second-highest-ranking person in leadership, to me hes the logical successor.. U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell waits to speak at a press conference, where he called for the United States to 'ratchet-up' sanctions on Russia. Because at the end of the day were going to have to have someone in the party who understands how to fight fire with fire when it comes to Sen. (Chuck) Schumer if were going to win back the majority, which we will., Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican facing voters next year, also confirmed through a spokesperson that he supports Sen. McConnell as leader.. The vote was 37-10, senators said, with one other senator voting present. And Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who's willing to put money behind it, is among the top Republicans urging the Utahn to seek another term. Unlike McConnell, Scott has detailed plans to overhaul entitlement programs and has embraced extreme candidates endorsed by Donald Trump. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks during a press conference at the US Capitol on September 28, 2022. Here's what that means for the kind of power he'll be able to wield. Weather Forecast Its like, what should I do in the time I have left? John Thune of South Dakota serves as the No. "I've always promised that I would do the work, even when it was hard, uncomfortable, or unpopular," Thune said in a statement posted on Twitter. If Trump mounts another run for president, the shine of being Senate GOP leader might dull a bit. With polls showing the wind at Republicans' backs, and with Democrats holding onto barely existent majorities in both chambers on Capitol Hill, folks like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have reason to be optimistic about the 2022 midterms. Sens. Theres Thune the South Dakotan, McConnells current deputy, as well as former whip John Cornyn of Texas, the two favorites to succeed the GOP leader. The "America First" reference was not accidental: Tshibaka is backed by Donald Trump, who's repeatedly vowed to defeat Murkowski for failing to show him sufficient loyalty. But some Republicans have raised questions about whether he can effectively serve as leader while his relationship with the former president remains strained. Thune and Cornyn arent asking for anyones support, and both say they theyll support McConnell as long as the Kentuckian is in office. Trump is flirting with running again in 2024 and continues to maintain a fierce grip on the party. McConnell already demonstrated hes willing to defend an anti-Trump Republican against an intraparty challenge, spending millions of dollars this year through his aligned super PAC to reelect Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). Scott Applewhite), Thune, in an interview Tuesday with Fox News, said that "the possibility perhaps of other leadership opportunities down the road" impacted his 2022 decision. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images). CNN In August, Mitch McConnell told a hard truth . 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Even Sen. Mike Braun (Ind. McConnell was elected to a seventh Senate term in 2020 by a nearly 20-point margin over Democrat Amy McGrath and won't be up for reelection until 2026. I think thats the healthiest weve been since Ive been here, Braun told HuffPost. He's also focused on agriculture issues during his tenure on Capitol Hill. Barrasso has spent several years using his messaging operation to ingratiate himself with more junior Republicans, lining up lengthy press conferences and helping ease his path to become the next whip the same perch thats helped Cornyn and Thune position themselves to succeed McConnell. Trumps ongoing rhetoric about the 2020 election complicates the desire of McConnell (and other party strategists) to make the 2022 midterms solely about Joe Lee is expected to remain similarly neutral in a primary if Romney runs again, according to a person familiar with his plans. Thunes decision,which he had held off announcing after going past his end-of-year timeline, will likely bring a sigh of relief to Senate Republicans, who had grown increasingly alarmed that the 61-year-old senator would retire after 2022. As whip, Thune has the clearest path to the job in the eyes of some Republicans until he is term-limited out of his job in 2025. And though she said Cornyn and Barrasso would do a very good job, shes one of the few GOP senators willing to weigh in on the shadow leadership race. When Mitch McConnell steps down as Senate GOP leader, which wont happen anytime soon, John is sure to replace him. for saying the 2020 elections were fairly won, which some Republicans said Tuesday was helpful to Thune. Then he cut a series of bipartisan deals that upset the right. Sen. John Thune questions U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai as she testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 12, 2021. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. I don't expect that to be me," he noted, adding that it's "certainly not on my radar screen at the moment.". Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) Those term limits, however, do not apply to the top leader. Still, even with McConnells term not over until 2026, Republicans know that things can always change and change quickly. But in another respect, Romneys just like any politician: He wants to win. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell joined at left by Minority Whip John Thune, speaks to reporters after a Republican strategy meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 19, 2021. Its a unique sort of a race because you know who the voters are, and its not really influenced by outside influences. The majority leader has the ability to determine which proposals do and don't come up for a vote in the Senate. Senate Republicans, who are close allies of the former president, urged Thune to run and not to worry about a Trump-field primary challenge. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) 2-ranking Republican in the Senate, announced on Saturday that he would seek another six-year term in the Senate in order to deliver for South Dakota, emphasizing that he's "uniquely positioned to get that job done. Still, should he run, Romney cant expect unified backing from the Senate Republican conference. People assumed that Mitch McConnell will be up for re-election in 2022 following his election in 2020, which he won. "In terms of his wrestling match with President Trump, that's an issue that I guess will sort itself out over time. That makes Romneys path to reelection easier than some other Trump critics who bowed out of electoral politics rather than face voters again. Asked if hell be crisscrossing the country this year, helping fellow Republicans in Senate elections, Thune said "if its helpful. But it's not as if Barack Obama was actively involved in a campaign to destroy Schumer. Former President Trump speaks at a rally on Sept. 25, 2021, in Perry, Georgia. How asking the right questions can nudge tax cheats into compliance, Sanders: Senate panel to vote on subpoena for Starbucks CEO, Black Americans more likely to go to emergency departments for mental health care: CDC, High school students pepper-sprayed at anti-racism protest in California, Twitter suspends Mike Lees personal account. The gender pay gap has stayed largely unchanged for 20 years. I dont see Mitch McConnell relinquishing his leadership post prior to some future decision not to run for reelection, Collins said. It validates him as leader in a really big way. But theres no more prominent GOP Trump foil these days than Romney. Hopefully we get the majority back and at some point nobody knows when exactly that might be in the future there probably will be some opportunities. Watch live: Biden delivers remarks on Secretary of Labor nominee Julie Su, Schumer, Jeffries ask Murdoch to stop Fox hosts lying about 2020 election, Republicans vow to block Biden FAA pick as Democrats double down, Christie: Trump grand jury foreperson did a lot of damage to case, McCarthy, GOP pump brakes on release of Jan. 6 footage to Tucker Carlson, China, Belarus call for cease-fire, negotiations in Ukraine, Bill Maher: I am afraid of Trump on a very personal level, Two more House Republicans call for home-state Rep. Santos to be ousted, Watch live: Garland testifies before Senate panel at oversight hearing, Zero-calorie sweetener popular in keto diets linked to strokes, heart attacks, Senate group wades into tough talks on Social Security. It shows his strength, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), who voted for McConnell, said of Wednesdays election. Hes wonderful to work with. The two have not only written laws together, but also spoofed Ted Lasso for Halloween. Trump, on the other hand, has launched an anti-McConnell campaign and appears determined to oust him from his leadership post. Feb. Eric Greitens, another Republican Senate hopeful in 2022, also said a few months ago that he wouldn't support McConnell, either. McConnell, meanwhile, has clashed with the former president, who in turn has responded by calling for McConnells impeachment. It was the most uncharacteristic move for McConnell, said one GOP source close to the Senate Republican leader. What will it take to close it? Those term limits, however, do not apply to the top leader. McConnell was elected to a seventh Senate term in 2020 by a nearly 20-point margin over Democrat Amy McGrath and won't be up for reelection until 2026. Thune is allowed to serve two more years as the Republican whip before he will be required to step down from the post at the end of 2024 because of the Senate Republican Conference's term-limit rules for leadership posts. The South Dakotan usually sides with his leadership but broke with McConnell and voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill this fall. McConnell said it "would be real setback for the party and for the country if he retired and I certainly hope he won't.". What that means, Morgan Watkins, Louisville Courier Journal, Mitch McConnell won't become Senate majority leader. on Tuesday said no one's making a move to replace McConnell. The question confronting Senate Republicans now is: Which John? McConnell made his statement a few days after his top deputy, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D. In a statement posted to Twitter, Thune said he is uniquely positioned to serve South Dakota and be a strong and effective senator who can deliver the results they expect.. Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MSNBC political contributor. Tuberville said he thinks McConnell as compiled a good record over the past year and doesn't know of anyone looking to usurp his leadership. Since his election in 2018, Romneys put an indelible stamp on the Senate. Thune serves on the Senate Commerce Committee and has played a leading role in telecommunications issues, including efforts to promote broadband. Murkowski is the lone GOP senator up for reelection who voted to convict Trump something she has defended since joining six of her GOP colleagues and 50 Senate Democrats to find the former President guilty of inciting the Capitol insurrection. Two recent filibuster exceptions expose lie of filibuster as insurmountable hurdle, determined to oust him from his leadership post, Why Mark Meadows' use of personal email accounts matters, The scope of Trumps failed Iran policy comes into sharper focus. | And Im Scandinavian, so the glass is always half empty. He downplayed any conflict with Cornyn, whom he said is his friend. The conference members then voted for McConnell to lead them again, which will make him the longest-serving Senate party leader when the new Congress convenes in January. Incoming National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines (R-Mont.) Democrats didn't win a 60-seat Senate majority, so McConnell and other Republican senators retain their ability to block most legislation. But it's worth noting for context that the far-right Alaskan isn't alone in adopting an anti-McConnell position. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mitch McConnell won't become Senate majority leader. You know, Im 75, Romney said. McConnell who will lose two members of his leadership team after 2022 to retirement publicly urged Thune to run for reelection in a recent interview, warning that stepping down would be a real setback from the country and our party.. Follow her on Twitter: @morganwatkins26. Some senators think McConnells set to stay around as leader until the end of his Senate career, regardless of Trumps relentless attacks on him and calls for new leadership. In terms of his wrestling match with President Trump, thats an issue that I guess will sort itself out over time., Asked if anyone is jockeying behind the scenes for McConnells job, Braun said, theres none of that been exhibited that Ive observed.. In all likelihood, McConnell didn't respond to her statement with any real concern, in part because Murkowski is still favored to win re-election, and in part because he doesn't have any real rivals in the Senate GOP conference. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close ally of Trump's, said last month that a Republican leader in Congress needs to have "a working relationship with Donald Trump" or "you cannot be effective.". ", SENATE REPUBLICAN REELECTION ARM HAULS IN A RECORD $104 MILLION LAST YEAR. And though Utah is a red state, its a Trump-skeptical one. His clout isn't as strong as it was when he was majority leader, but it's still consequential, including when it comes to delivering government funds to Kentucky. People respect his intelligence, his assessment of the era we find ourselves in. The primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. Market data provided by Factset. Kristi Noem to launch a primary challenge against him. Thune has kept a tight lid on his thinking about his own reelection bid for months, despite routine peppering by reporters about whether he was running again in 2022. "We work hard in South Dakota, connect with the people in our state and always put their interest first, and I think they appreciate that. Republican senators are trying to stay out of the fray between former President Donald Trump and their leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell. The Trump Archive launched in January 2017. McConnell says he will do everything possible to ensure Romney succeeds. GOP Sen. Tim Scotts office referred CNN to a recent Fox radio interview where the South Carolinian noted his support for the leader. Sen. John Thune touts GOP victories as 'response to the Biden agenda', New Orleans mayor recall organizers score deal that could lower signature requirement, Jeffries warns against 'xenophobic activity' from 'MAGA Republicans' as House China Select Committee kicks off, Sen. Mike Lee suspended by Twitter, 'seeking answers', Massachusetts Gov. Hes not impulsive from anyway that I can tell, except on a basketball court, Cramer said of his fellow Dakotan. But over the past year hes also found himself at odds with former President Trump because of the former presidents push for GOP lawmakers to try to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which Trump and some of his closest allies have falsely claimed was rigged or stolen., Thune warned that a long-shot effort to throw out the Electoral College results in Congress would go down like a shot dog.. 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