Whip John Thune, a former Trump critic, wins Senate GOP leader post: What we know so far

U.S. Sen. John Thune, of South Dakota, was chosen by his peers to lead his Republican colleagues in the 119th U.S. Congress.

Thune, currently the Senate whip, will replace Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell as the chamber’s GOP leader, who has been serving in this capacity since 2007. McConnell is the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history.

Here’s a look at what we know so far:

How did he win the position?

Thune first beat out two other top contenders Wednesday in a behind-doors vote, including Florida Sen. Rick Scott, who had the support of key Trump allies in the first round of voting before overcoming Texas Sen. John Cornyn.

The second ballot ultimately favored Thune, who earned 29 votes over Cornyn’s 24.

The Murdo native is the second South Dakota senator to take the top rank after former Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle, who held the role from 1995 to 2005.

“I am extremely honored to have earned the support of my colleagues to lead the Senate in the 119th Congress, and I am beyond proud of the work we have done to secure our majority and the White House,” Thune wrote in a Wednesday press release. “This Republican team is united behind President Trump’s agenda, and our work starts today.”

How are top SD leaders reacting?

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, congratulated his congressional colleague on the successful campaign over social media.

“You have proven your strength and leadership skills throughout your career,” Johnson wrote.

Thune’s senatorial colleague, Mike Rounds, also heaped praise onto the incoming Senate majority leader.

“With President Trump in the White House and Republican majorities in both the Senate and House, Republicans are positioned to spend at least the next two years getting our country back on track,” Rounds wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “My colleagues and I agree that John is the right man to lead us in these efforts.”

What political environment will Thune oversee?

Thune, who served as Senate whip starting in 2019, now leads a Republican-dominated Senate, which will likely possess a GOP trifecta with President-elect Donald Trump entering the White House in 2025 and Republicans on pace to secure the House.

The Associated Press has not yet made its call on who controls the House as of 11 a.m. Wednesday.

What’s his relationship with Trump?

Thune’s ascent marks a noticeable shift in his relationship with Trump, whom he has politically sparred with for years.

He told the Argus Leader following a Sioux Falls forum event in October he had developed a “working relationship” with Trump

“We’ve had our differences in the past, but I also know that the country has big challenges, and I think in order to deal with those challenges, you’ve got to have people that can sit down and work together,” Thune said in an interview.

Thune was also one of the first critics of Trump when after the resurfacing of the 2005 Hollywood Access tape, which depicted the New York businessman making crude and sexual comments toward women. The news of the tape prompted Thune to say Trump should drop out as the Republican nominee during his first presidential run.

Thune also directly denounced Trump for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the nation’s capitol. He called his involvement and that of the rioters “inexcusable.”

This story is developing. Check back for more.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Whip John Thune, former Trump critic, elected Senate majority leader

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