Sen. John Thune Elected Senate GOP Leader

The South Dakota lawmaker pledges to push President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet appointments and legislative proposals.

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) ahead of the Senate Republican leadership election in Washington on Nov. 13, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

WASHINGTON—Senate Republicans on Nov. 13 selected Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) as their new leader in the 119th Congress, succeeding Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who held the post for nearly two decades.

Thune was elected after two rounds of secret ballot voting in a 29–24 vote against Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), according to a source familiar with the final ballot count.