It validates him as leader in a really big way. 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. Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Wednesday easily won reelection as Senate GOP leader, fending off a conservative challenge led by Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.). 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. 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. I always tell my colleagues Ill come out for them or against them, which ever helps them the most. And timing could be everything: Thune is subject to the same six-year term limits as whip that rotated Cornyn out of the spot. The gender pay gap has stayed largely unchanged for 20 years. 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. 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. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Trump supported Murkowskis conservative challenger Kelly Tshibaka, but the incumbent stuck to the center amid her states new ranked-choice voting system and won by 7 points. 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.". And it frightened independent and moderate Republican voters, McConnell said of the midterm election losses on Tuesday. Glenn Clary, the state party chairman, told CNN that some people are angry and upset and some people say she voted her conscience.. What that means, Morgan Watkins, Louisville Courier Journal, Mitch McConnell won't become Senate majority leader. McConnell has long stressed electability as the most important trait for his candidates. When he had that job from January 2015 through January 2021, McConnell used that power to block bills. 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.. The gender pay gap has stayed largely unchanged for 20 years. "I have not heard anybody say anything negative," he added. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) talks with Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) outside the U.S. Capitol, Aug. 4, 2022. Leader McConnell has my full support and confidence. DeSantis pushes for dismissal of lawsuit brought by migrants sent to Marthas Feehery: Progressive DC government turning city into a dystopia, Vance pitches PPP for Ohio while other Republicans say to wait, The shepherd boy, the wolf and the threat to Israeli democracy, Watch live: White House monkeypox response team holds briefing, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. | President Trump is well liked up here, Clary said. The great thing for us is, you have a couple of really exceptional individuals that can step up if McConnell decides to step out.. 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. Republicans are defending 20 seats during the 2022 midterm elections, including five open seats where Sens. And with the former president weakened, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, no fan of Trump himself, is among the top Republicans exhorting Romney to seek another six-year term in 2024. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Noem said on Twitter shortly after that Thune was a friend and she would not run against him. Its also a boost to McConnell, who has seen a number ofhis closest alliesexitthe Senate in recent cycles. ", Former President Trump speaks at a rally on Sept. 25, 2021, in Perry, Georgia. In theory, this could prove to be trivial, especially if far-right candidates balking at McConnell come up short in primaries or in general elections. The election filled the Class III Senate seat held by Rand Paul (R), who first took office in 2011. McConnell was elected to a seventh Senate term in 2020 by a nearly 20-point margin over Democrat Amy McGrath and wont be up for reelection until 2026. He has Incoming National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines (R-Mont.) Former President Trump speaks at a rally on Sept. 25, 2021, in Perry, Georgia. McConnell said in an interview that hes absolutely willing to do the same for Romney, and is pushing his colleague for another bid. The final vote was 37-10, with one Republican voting present.. Thune mulled for nearly a year on whether to run for a fourth term representing South Dakota. 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 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.. 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. Just because McConnell can still lead filibusters of legislation doesn't mean he'll stymie everything. But before he starts preparing to change offices, it's worth noting that some of the Republicans running for the Senate next year say they have no intention of supporting McConnell in 2023. Romneys ultimate decision on reelection will say far more about the state of the Republican Party than any other safe red seat. I don't expect that to be me," he noted, adding that it's "certainly not on my radar screen at the moment.". And I think his running for reelection would be very important, McConnell said. 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. The senator predicted that Trump's baseless challenge of the results in Congress would go down like "a shot dog." 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. Likely weighing on Thunes decision on whether to run for reelection was former President Trump. ", SENATE REPUBLICAN REELECTION ARM HAULS IN A RECORD $104 MILLION LAST YEAR. 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. Even Sen. Mike Braun (Ind. Thune earned Trumps ire a year ago for publicly dismissing his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. nor former Senate Republican Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) - appear to be actively jockeying to replace McConnell. ", "There's going to be somebody like that. "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. Asked if hell be crisscrossing the country this year, helping fellow Republicans in Senate elections, Thune said "if its helpful. The Cook Political Report has ranked six races toss-ups: Arizona, Georgia and Nevada, which are each currently held by Democrats, and North Carolina, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, which are currently held by Republicans. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. McConnell, meanwhile, has clashed with the former president, who in turn has responded by calling for McConnells impeachment. Contests & Promotions, Highway 154 has reopened in both directions following brief closure due to snow, Santa Barbara County School Districts and Unions call for affordable housing in letter to Board of Supervisors, Large trees topple in the wind closing Highway 101 and taking out power lines in several areas, Twelve non-profits awarded new grants to expand access to state parks for fourth graders and their families, Biden says Labor nominee Julie Su is the American dream, US imposes sanctions on three companies and two individuals for illicitly generating income for North Korea, Bipartisan group of senators to introduce new bill aimed at rail safety in wake of East Palestine crash, Biden administration embraces tough border measures it once rejected. But he caught flack from former President Donald Trump after the 2020 election. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in New Hampshire. But I havent made a decision, finally. But he made clear that Trump still has deep support among the party faithful. 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. McConnell, 80, had the support of 37 senators, while Scott got 10 votes and one senator voted present, CNN reported, citing two members of the GOP conference. While Trump has seemingly moved on from Thune, hes kept up a long-running, largely one-sided, feud with McConnell. Republican senators say none of McConnells possible heirs apparent neither Thune nor Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) As the second-highest-ranking person in leadership, to me hes the logical successor.. 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. Republican senators are trying to stay out of the fray between former President Donald Trump and their leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell. 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. 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. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. Then theres John Barrasso, the No. The longer answer is: Definitely yes. If Trump mounts another run for president, the shine of being Senate GOP leader might dull a bit. We got a lot of legislation of significant nature through, Romney said in the interview. But it's not as if Barack Obama was actively involved in a campaign to destroy Schumer. And Romneys self-deprecating sense of humor stands out in the stuffy chamber. Its really more of a matter of relationships and trust.. That is something Id like to pursue, Cornyn said Tuesday of the Senate GOPs top spot. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images). John Thune presents a great image for our party. 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. 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. Trumps ongoing rhetoric about the 2020 election complicates the desire of McConnell (and other party strategists) to make the 2022 midterms solely about Joe Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy won't seek reelection next year, House retirement tracker: Senior Democrats exit as the GOP is confident of a takeover. Its kind of like being a head coach in football, people look at sometimes the outward statements. 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. listens to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell talk to reporters. That makes Romneys path to reelection easier than some other Trump critics who bowed out of electoral politics rather than face voters again. 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). "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. Sen. John Thune (S.D. They can't block everything, though. 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.. Environmental justice investors: Its the demand-side, stupid! Samuel Corum/Getty Images Yet if theres a favorite McConnell heir, no one is saying. John Thune (@johnthune) January 8, 2022. Hes served on diverse committees. ), who backed Scott, gave McConnell credit for acknowledging the concerns raised about his leadership style. It was unclear what the outcome of the Nov. 8 election would mean for control of the Senate for several days as the vote tallies of close races across the country were counted. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close ally of Trumps, said last month that a Republican leader in Congress needs to have a working relationship with Donald Trump or you cannot be effective.. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mitch McConnell won't become Senate majority leader. 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.. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Hes one of a handful of influential Senate centrists weighing how effective they might be if they come back for another term, a group that includes Sens. ), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) are retiring. 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. Republicans in Senate elections, Thune said `` if its helpful going to be actively jockeying to McConnell... R-Wyo. from Thune, hes kept up a long-running, largely one-sided, feud McConnell! Pay gap has stayed largely unchanged for 20 years in Congress would go down like `` a dog. 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