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. Could a White House race be in his political future? Thats the nature of Utah politics, said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) of the states strange dynamics. And Romneys self-deprecating sense of humor stands out in the stuffy chamber. Both Sens. What's more, there have been similar intra-party disputes in Democratic politics that didn't amount to much: Arizona's Kyrsten Sinema, for example, said she wouldn't support New York's Chuck Schumer for Democratic leader, which proved inconsequential when he ran unopposed. A vote to delay the leadership elections until after next months Georgia Senate runoff was defeated, 32-16. Scott announced Tuesday that he would take on McConnell for the seat, arguing that the status quo is broken and big change is needed. His complaints about GOP leadership followed months of feuding with McConnell over campaign strategy that devolved into open warfare after Democrats maintained control of the Senate last week. They can't block everything, though. While Trump has seemingly moved on from Thune, hes kept up a long-running, largely one-sided, feud with McConnell. For now, two candidates announcing their opposition to the Senate GOP leader doesn't have much of an impact on the partisan landscape. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Instead, the former president this week went after Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) John Thune (@johnthune) January 8, 2022. Sen. As long as he is in the Senate, hes going to want to be the leader, in the minority or the majority, Braun said. Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy won't seek reelection next year, House retirement tracker: Senior Democrats exit as the GOP is confident of a takeover. The final vote was 37-10, with one Republican voting present.. 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. 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. 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. 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. McConnell had lobbied his second-in-command to run for reelection in the solidly red state where Thune enjoys broad support. hide caption. 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. Thune briefly considered a run for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination before deciding not to launch a campaign. Even Sen. Mike Braun (Ind. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images. Incoming National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines (R-Mont.) Theres a very simple answer: Yes. 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. "It's time for new, America First leadership in the Senate.". Hes great. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) talks with Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) outside the U.S. Capitol, Aug. 4, 2022. No one understands the Senate better than he does, Sen. John Thune, the No. Reach reporter Morgan Watkins at mwatkins@courierjournal.com. The last leadership change on the Democratic side happened in a near-instant, with the late Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announcing his retirement and immediately endorsing Sen. Chuck Schumer to succeed him. ), ended months of speculation by announcing over the weekend that he would run for a fourth Senate term. Lee is expected to remain similarly neutral in a primary if Romney runs again, according to a person familiar with his plans. Environmental justice investors: Its the demand-side, stupid! Under Scott, the NRSC took a hands-off approach to GOP primaries, embracing those candidates in the general election. Just because McConnell can still lead filibusters of legislation doesn't mean he'll stymie everything. I think he does a good job, he said. 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. or redistributed. Feb. Former Missouri Gov. "She is done with it," he said. Even out of office he has caused headaches for Senate GOP leadership by weighing into fights over the infrastructure bill and the debt ceiling. The filing deadline was January 25, 2022. 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. Both Cornyn and Barrasso said they congratulated Thune this week for his decision to run again, with the Wyomingite saying hes delighted and declining to address a future leadership race. He listened and was receptive to the folks that he knows probably voted against him. Schumer was not the whip at the time, but his political work on his partys behalf, as well as his relationship with Reid, helped elevate him to Democratic leader. 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. Even so, he may face opposition from his own party if he runs, with Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes the most prominent possibility. "Once McConnell would make his mind up one way or the other, I'm sure there would be a jockeying for that would become quite apparent," he said. 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. While the lack of response from GOP senators over McConnell underscores the awkward spot Republicans find themselves in, some made clear they are behind the Senate Republican leader. 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. 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.. Glenn Clary, the state party chairman, told CNN that some people are angry and upset and some people say she voted her conscience.. McConnell has also been the target of Trump's wrath after voting for a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a proposal to allow Democrats to raise the debt ceiling by themselves with a simple majority vote. We must start saying what we are for, not just what we are against.. Asked if hell be crisscrossing the country this year, helping fellow Republicans in Senate elections, Thune said "if its helpful. That work continues, which is why after careful consideration and prayer, and with the support of my family, Im asking South Dakotans for the opportunity to continue serving them in the U.S. Senate.. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Hes a deliberate person. McConnell has given no public indication that he intends to retire anytime soon, but in addition to Thune, Sens. 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. The majority leader has the ability to determine which proposals do and don't come up for a vote in the Senate. John Cornyn (Texas), the former GOP whip, and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) I dont see Mitch McConnell relinquishing his leadership post prior to some future decision not to run for reelection, Collins said. Senate Republicans, who are close allies of the former president, urged Thune to run and not to worry about a Trump-field primary challenge. 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 the possibility of a shake-up in the Republican chain of command. That makes Romneys path to reelection easier than some other Trump critics who bowed out of electoral politics rather than face voters again. McConnell confirmed on Tuesday that hell seek to remain GOP Senate leader after Novembers midterms. "Potential prospects down the road was a factor as we weighed the question of whether or not to seek another six-year term.". He voted to convict Trump in both impeachment trials, becoming the only Senate Republican to support abuse of power charges against Trump in the former presidents first trial over Ukraine aid. Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything related to him: Peter Strzok. 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. Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Wednesday easily won reelection as Senate GOP leader, fending off a Todd Young of Indiana and Roy Blunt of Missouri, who are close with the GOP leader, did not respond to inquiries and may be wary themselves of inviting a possible primary challenger if they anger the former President. 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. President Trump is well liked up here, Clary said. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images. 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 closed-door, secret-ballot vote was held in the Old Senate Chamber, an ornate semicircular room in the Capitol where lawmakers met prior to the Civil War. "I have not heard anybody say anything negative," he added. 3 Senate GOP leader whom Republicans believe is likely to ascend to the whip job first as Cornyn and Thune compete to succeed McConnell. 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. Romneys ultimate decision on reelection will say far more about the state of the Republican Party than any other safe red seat. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said the GOP is fortunate to have the three Johns to choose from. Sen. John Thune (S.D. Monaco also spoke on the FBIs mishandling of the Olympic gymnast sexual abuse case and threats against school board officials and educators. Since his election in 2018, Romneys put an indelible stamp on the Senate. The Senate is currently split 50-50 between the two major parties, but Democrats hold a razor-thin majority due to the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Kamala Harris through her constitutional duty as president of the chamber. Thune has accrued internal support with the help of personal dinners, massive financial transfers to the party committee and his role as current party whip. Thune has poised himself to [move up] with the responsibilities that he has taken on as whip, and he has poised himself to do so with relationships with just about all of us in the conference, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). No. 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 Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. Sometimes in this current political environment, it can be a mixed blessing to have a member of the Republican leadership in the Senate come out in circumstances. They may be surprised. The primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. 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 Kristi Noem to launch a primary challenge against him. 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