This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mitch McConnell won't become Senate majority leader. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) "As long as he is in the Senate, he's going to want to be the leader, in the minority or the majority," Braun said. The majority leader has the ability to determine which proposals do and don't come up for a vote in the Senate. Their lack of response doesnt mean that McConnell is at risk of losing his spot atop the Senate GOP Conference, a position hes enjoyed longer than any other Republican senator in history. I always tell my colleagues Ill come out for them or against them, which ever helps them the most. "It's kind of like being a head coach in football, people look at sometimes the outward statements. | But it's worth noting for context that the far-right Alaskan isn't alone in adopting an anti-McConnell position. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said the GOP is fortunate to have the three Johns to choose from. John probably has a pretty good sense of his likelihood of success.. Nov 16, 2022, 01:06 PM EST | Updated Nov 16, 2022. Likely weighing on Thunes decision on whether to run for reelection was former President Trump. Senate Republicans, who are close allies of the former president, urged Thune to run and not to worry about a Trump-field primary challenge. 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Mitch McConnell, says he will run for reelection in 2022, putting an end to the speculation about This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, GOP senators say they dont know of any Republican senator who plans to challenge McConnell for the top Republican leadership slot in the Senate despite his rocky relationship with Trump, who remains popular with Republican base voters. Though GOP senators expressed confidence earlier this year that he would run, Thune set off alarm bells within the caucus when he told a South Dakota publication that his wife was ready for him to call it quits. But theyare feeling increasingly confident about their chances of winning back the Senate, where they only need a net pickup of one seat to get the majority. He's also the bestselling author of "The Impostors: How Republicans Quit Governing and Seized American Politics.". HuffPost's top politics stories, straight to your inbox. 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. Market data provided by Factset. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who chairs the Senate GOP campaign arm, quickly formally endorsed Thune on Saturday, saying in a statement that South Dakotans are lucky to have a conservative fighter like John Thune working for them in the Senate.. Senate Democrats can keep approving President Joe Biden's nominees to the federal judiciary even without any Republican colleagues' support, for example, because those nominations can advance with just 51 votes. John Thune, the No. 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. 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. People respect his intelligence, his assessment of the era we find ourselves in. I don't expect that to be me," he noted, adding that it's "certainly not on my radar screen at the moment.". You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! McConnell said it "would be real setback for the party and for the country if he retired and I certainly hope he won't.". on Tuesday said no one's making a move to replace McConnell. Leader McConnell has my full support and confidence. 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. Its a unique sort of a race because you know who the voters are, and its not really influenced by outside influences. He has consistently avoided answering questions about his relationship with Trump by saying he's focused on fighting President Biden's multi-trillion-dollar agenda in Congress and helping Republicans win back the Senate majority in 2022. Environmental justice investors: Its the demand-side, stupid! Its also a boost to McConnell, who has seen a number ofhis closest alliesexitthe Senate in recent cycles. No. Kristi Noem to launch a primary challenge against him. Even so, he may face opposition from his own party if he runs, with Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes the most prominent possibility. News Channel 3-12 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost? Breaking News Cornyn said Thune is a very important part of our conference and has a lot to offer, while underscoring that a reelection run is a separate question than who succeeds McConnell. As the second-highest-ranking person in leadership, to me hes the logical successor.. Kristi Noem, a close ally of the former president, to launch a primary challenge against Thune. Wow.. 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. Im really pleasantly surprised that this was not a lot of sitting around and wringing hands. The great thing for us is, you have a couple of really exceptional individuals that can step up if McConnell decides to step out.. 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 for leadership longevity a year from now. Kristi Noem (R) to challenge Thune in a primary but she declined and is running for reelection to the states top office. I do, Scott said when asked if he stands by supporting McConnell as leader. The senator predicted that Trump's baseless challenge of the results in Congress would go down like "a shot dog." He hinted his wife's preference was that he retire. 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. 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. For McConnell, no Senate GOP challengers have emerged who could knock him off his perch in the body, so theres no immediate threat to his leadership position. 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. Scott, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which oversees the Senate GOPs campaigns, argued in a letter to colleagues that they need to start being far more bold and resolute than we have been in the past. Just because McConnell can still lead filibusters of legislation doesn't mean he'll stymie everything. Scott was a curious choice for taking on McConnell. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Hes worked with Democrats frequently, yet just as easily takes a hard conservative line on issues like the debt ceiling. 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. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. And with the former president weakened, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, no fan of Trump himself, is among the top Republicans exhorting Romney to He listened and was receptive to the folks that he knows probably voted against him. Glenn Clary, the state party chairman, told CNN that some people are angry and upset and some people say she voted her conscience.. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) talks with Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) outside the U.S. Capitol, Aug. 4, 2022. Thune and Cornyn are best-positioned to become the next Senate GOP leader but Barrasso is in the mix too. It validates him as leader in a really big way. 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. Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything What Bidens FHA mortgage fee cut means for buyers. 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. But Trump remains very popular with Republican voters and extremely influential with many GOP politicians as he continues to play a kingmakers role in party politics and repeatedly flirts with making another White House run in 2024. I think theres probably a greater likelihood the House flips than the Senate, the Senate minority leader said at The question confronting Senate Republicans now is: Which John? 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. Part of HuffPost Politics. 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 Conferences term-limit rules for leadership posts. GOP Sen. Tim Scotts office referred CNN to a recent Fox radio interview where the South Carolinian noted his support for the leader. Hes a key player in the Senates centrist negotiating groups that have helped craft new laws on infrastructure, gun safety and marriage equality and he wants to continue that style of work as long as hes a senator. 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.. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. 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. 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. Environmental justice investors: Its the demand-side, stupid! ', Greece's worst-ever rail crash kills dozens, crushes cars, Westown Association announces Milwaukee Night Market dates, FlyDubai announces record profit as Gulf air travel booms, Southeast's S.P.A.C.E. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who served six years as GOP whip, and Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the current number-three Senate Republican leader, are also seen as potential contenders. 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. James Lankford of Oklahoma; Mike Lee of Utah; John Kennedy of Louisiana; John Boozman of Arkansas; Mike Crapo of Idaho; Chuck Grassley of Iowa; Lisa Murkowski of Alaska; John Hoeven of North Dakota; and Marco Rubio of Florida. 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. Theres no sign McConnell would give a Reid-style boost to either Cornyn or Thune, though he publicly encouraged Thune to run again. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. But theres no more prominent GOP Trump foil these days than Romney. 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. ), ended months of speculation by announcing over the weekend that he would run for a fourth Senate term. We must start saying what we are for, not just what we are against.. Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything related to him: Peter Strzok. Mitt Romney said he needs to see how that feels in the coming months as he considers whether to test his brand of politics one more time. As long as he is in the Senate, hes going to want to be the leader, in the minority or the majority, Braun said. Im 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. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images. 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