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. 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. She estimated a leadership campaign wouldnt happen for probably five years from now., Nonetheless, the unofficial battle of the Johns is very real. 2 Senate GOP leader and likely successor to Republican leader Mitch McConnell, has announced he will run for reelection in 2022, putting an end to the speculation about the South Dakota senator's political future. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mitch McConnell won't become Senate majority leader. Thune joined the House of Representatives in 1997 and, after an initial Senate bid in 2002, sent a lightning bolt through Washington when he defeated then-Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle in 2004 in what was the most expensive race of the cycle. John Cornyn (Texas), the former GOP whip, and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) 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. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. McConnell has long stressed electability as the most important trait for his candidates. Where Thune can be low-key, Cornyn brings a more pugnacious style that leads some other Republicans to see him as a natural successor to McConnell. Anybody who wants to run for it can feel free to do so. The great thing for us is, you have a couple of really exceptional individuals that can step up if McConnell decides to step out.. 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. With Thunes announcement, Senate Republicans are just waiting to hear from one member GOP Sen. Ron Johnson (Wis.), who had previously pledged to retire after 2022 but has sounded increasingly likely to run again. But some Republicans have raised questions about whether he can effectively serve as leader while his relationship with the former president remains strained. 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. Follow her on Twitter: @morganwatkins26. But I havent made a decision, finally. The gender pay gap has stayed largely unchanged for 20 years. IE 11 is not supported. Its like, what should I do in the time I have left? (Susan Walsh/Pool/AFP via Getty Images). For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell won't get his old job as Senate majority leader back in January after voters decided to let Democrats keep control of Congress' upper chamber. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. The South Dakota Republican, a likely successor to Republican leader Mitch McConnell, says he will run for reelection in 2022, putting an end to the speculation about The election filled the Class III Senate seat held by Rand Paul (R), who first took office in 2011. Roy Blunt (R-Mo. The gender pay gap has stayed largely unchanged for 20 years. McConnell made his statement a few days after his top deputy, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D. McConnell confirmed Tuesday hell seek to remain party leader after this falls midterms, no surprise given his goal of surpassing the late Sen. Mike Mansfields record "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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. For instance, he backed two particularly notable bipartisan laws since 2021: The $1.2 trillionbipartisan infrastructure law, which is expected to sendat least $4.6 billion to Kentucky. Former Missouri Gov. Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MSNBC political contributor. He likes winners and John Thune is a winner, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) told The New York Times. Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo, Thune agonized for nearly a year over running again, a choice complicated by former President Donald Trumps attacks on him for dismissing Trumps efforts to challenge Joe Bidens win. Both senators said their most important election right now is this November, when they have a real shot at taking back the majority. Kentucky generally receives a disproportionate share of federal dollars compared with other states partly because of its significant poverty levels, Voss said. It wasn't just electoral calculations that led to questions about Thune's political future in the Senate but family considerations as well. Maura Healey unveils state budget proposal highlighted by free community college. Plus, McConnell remains one of Congress'top four leaders. "That work continues, which is why after careful consideration and prayer, and with the support of my family, I'm asking South Dakotans for the opportunity to continue serving them in the U.S. Its not like anybody figured wed have a new leader, but someone had to step up and make the statement that there were more than 10 of us that are probably not generally happy with the amount of input any one senator has.. The filing deadline was January 25, 2022. 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. Romneys ultimate decision on reelection will say far more about the state of the Republican Party than any other safe red seat. John probably has a pretty good sense of his likelihood of success.. The remarks sparked Trumps ire and the former president fired back that Thune was Mitchs boy. Trump tried toconvince South Dakota Gov. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 2 Senate Republican and a close ally of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), on Saturday announced he will run for 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Still, even with McConnells term not over until 2026, Republicans know that things can always change and change quickly. Thunes pursuit of a fourth term, however, has left the Senate GOP newly abuzz over who might take the reins post-McConnell, since political trajectories can change in an instant in the Senate. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images). Several high-profile Trump-backed Senate candidates lost last week, including Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania, Don Bolduc in New Hampshire, Blake Masters in Arizona and Adam Laxalt in Nevada. And Im Scandinavian, so the glass is always half empty. He downplayed any conflict with Cornyn, whom he said is his friend. In fact, McConnell noted in a January 2021 interview that he'd "still be one of the Big Four," saying: "When you end up in a big negotiation at the end of the year, each of the four of us have a veto power over what goes in and what doesn't.". The South Dakotan usually sides with his leadership but broke with McConnell and voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill this fall. But his attack on Trump and Trumps scathing response could reverberate in Senate primaries where candidates are largely aligning themselves with the former President in an attempt to court his base, even as McConnell has vowed to employ his political operation to push candidates he views as most electable. A A Republican senators up for reelection in 2022 do not appear eager to pick sides between former President Donald Trump and Senate Minority Leader Mitch I think thats the healthiest weve been since Ive been here, Braun told HuffPost. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. They may be surprised. Both Sens. I do, Scott said when asked if he stands by supporting McConnell as leader. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images. His` larger ambitions aside, the Florida Republican just oversaw a series of humiliating Senate GOP defeats in the midterm elections, with candidate quality being a serious problem. Next year, the Senate will be narrowly divided with Democrats in charge, which may empower senators like Romney and Sinema to keep working together on issues like the minimum wage or immigration. We must start saying what we are for, not just what we are against.. All rights reserved. Leader McConnell has my full support and confidence. THE SIX BIGGEST CAMPAIGN QUESTIONS OF 2022, Thune noted that "the overall political landscape, political environment, that youre in" weighed on his electoral decision and acknowledged that Trumps continued dominance within the GOP "plays into the things that were going to be able to do around here is certainly a factor. Here's what that means for the kind of power he'll be able to wield. "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. Its also a boost to McConnell, who has seen a number ofhis closest alliesexitthe Senate in recent cycles. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday said he will run for another term as the chambers top GOP leader at the end of the year, shutting down 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Unlike the other three, however, Romneys biggest threat is more likely to come in a primary than in the general election. | While many Republican senators share McConnells view, others do not and are frustrated with the GOP leader for condemning the former President in harsh terms, arguing his comments have put them in a complicated position. The question confronting Senate Republicans now is: Which John? nor former Senate Republican Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) appear to be actively jockeying to replace McConnell. Hes served on diverse committees. Part of HuffPost Politics. That means Republicans merely need a net gain of one seat to retake the Senate in November's midterms to regain control of the chamber they lost a year ago when they were narrowly swept in Georgias twin Senate runoffs. "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. The South Dakota senator highlighted the Republican victories, suggesting they are a 'repudiation' of the Democrats' big-government approach. President Trump is well liked up here, Clary said. With the state attorney general among the conservatives eyeing a challenge, Utahs voters are near evenly split over whether Romney should run again yet a Romney reelection is important to McConnell to demonstrate the partys appeal goes beyond Trump, even as the former presidents critics vanish from the congressional GOP. Thune briefly considered a run for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination before deciding not to launch a campaign. Also he is currently leading the Ukraine ', Greece's worst-ever rail crash kills dozens, crushes cars, Paul Vallas denounces phony video posted on Twitter, Rugged wheelchairs help people with impaired mobility navigate outdoor terrain. Cornyns power base stems from his time as whip and party committee chair in 2010 and 2012 as well as his continued fundraising prowess for the party and handy reelection win in 2020 after Democrats tried to make Texas a battleground state. 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.. ), ended months of speculation by announcing over the weekend that he would run for a fourth Senate term. And, what can be accomplished?. Legal Statement. He was elected to the House in 1996 and served three terms there. Though Mitch McConnell has revealed about backing Trump for the 2024 presidential election, he has not confirmed about his re-election in 2022. Mitch McConnell is a U.S. Senate Republican Leader. And as Cornyn put it: I try to always be prepared., Sen. Mike Mansfields record for leadership longevity, agonized for nearly a year over running again, last leadership change on the Democratic side happened, massive financial transfers to the party committee. Market data provided by Factset. For months, Thune, 61, had said he was undecided about whether he would run for a fourth term. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said the GOP is fortunate to have the three Johns to choose from. That is something Id like to pursue, Cornyn said Tuesday of the Senate GOPs top spot. But don't be surprised if the former president tries to secure related commitments from other candidates, which might start to make a difference in 2022. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images. Trump, on the other hand, has launched an anti-McConnell campaign and appears determined to oust him from his leadership post. Ive spent 25 years now in public service. 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. After one unsuccessful Senate bid in 2002, Thune knocked off the top Senate Democratic leader, Tom Daschle, in 2004. Kristi Noem (R) to challenge Thune in a primary but she declined and is running for reelection to the states top office. 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. What that means, Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, King asks Duke and Duchess of Sussex to move out of Frogmore so Prince Andrew can move in, Biden Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene With 1 Simple Hand Gesture, A Nebraska high-school cheerleader competed on her own after the rest of her squad quit. Now House Republicans are taking over, a potential roadblock to bipartisan legislation hatched by centrists that passes the Senate but divides Republicans. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday said he will run for another term as the chamber's top GOP leader at the end of the year, shutting down the possibility of a shake-up in the Republican chain of command. The blue-state governor turned GOP presidential nominee turned Senate elder statesman also doesnt need the job, thanks to personal wealth that frees him to look beyond the Senates permanent reelection cycle. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) Johns a cautious man. But its a clear sign that Republicans are eager to avoid being caught in the middle of a divisive fight over Trumps role in the party after McConnell accused Trump of a disgraceful dereliction of duty and being responsible for the deadly January 6 riot, despite the GOP leaders vote to acquit Trump on the contention that trying a former president is unconstitutional. Thanks to the filibuster a 60-vote threshold senators must meet to advance most bills Democrats need support from several Republicans, at least, to pass plenty of proposals. 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. McConnell is poised to become the Senates longest-serving leader when the new Congress convenes next year. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) questions U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco as she testifies on renewing and strengthening the Violence Against Women Act during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on October 05, 2021 in Washington, DC. You know, Im 75, Romney said. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) Breaking News Eric Greitens, another Republican Senate hopeful in 2022, also said a few months ago that he wouldn't support McConnell, either. Two Trump-backed Senate candidates have said they won't support Mitch McConnell for He shared that being in the nations capital and far from his home state 35-40 weeks a year "presents challenges from a family standpoint, personal standpoint.". "I have not heard anybody say anything negative," he added. 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. The decision by Senate Minority Whip John Thune to run for reelection sets up an intricate shuffle among a trio of Republicans named John to succeed McConnell. Since his election in 2018, Romneys put an indelible stamp on the Senate. Glenn Clary, the state party chairman, told CNN that some people are angry and upset and some people say she voted her conscience.. Its really more of a matter of relationships and trust.. CNN contacted the 16 Senate Republicans up for reelection in 2022 on Thursday about whether they still back McConnell and just three responded. Sen. John Thune (S.D. But Cornyn, 69, brings his own formidable resume: He ran the National Republican Senatorial Committee for two cycles, served as whip for six years and is still a McConnell confidante at the leaders table of advisers. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) listens to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell talk to reporters. ", But he asked and answered his own question, saying, "Was his potential influence in my race a factor? However, Democratsclinched the majoritywhen Democratic U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, America's first-ever Latina senator, won her highly competitive reelection bid. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday said he's optimistic about the 2022 midterm elections for Republicans. No. 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.. 2 Senate Republican who faces voters in South Dakota next year, told CNN in a statement. 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. He no doubt recalls flawed ones like Christine O'Donnell in Delaware, Sharron 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. States top office that is something Id like to pursue, Cornyn said Tuesday of the Senate but divides.., Voss said state of the Senate but family considerations as well should I do in the general election in! 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