John Thune Elected to Replace Mitch McConnell as the Republican Senate Leader, Fending Off MAGA Challenger

Mar. 15, 2025

Sen. John Thune stands beside Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at a news conference on Oct. 17, 2023.

South Dakota Sen.John Thunewas chosen to become the new Republican Senate leader on Wednesday, Nov. 13, replacing Kentucky Sen.Mitch McConnell.Thune, 63, has been one of McConnell’s right-hand men in Congress. Hebeat out two other candidatesin a closed-door vote to secure the position: Texas Sen.John Cornyn, another McConnell ally, and Florida Sen.Rick Scott, a fierce defender ofDonald Trumpwho routinely criticized McConnell’s leadership.McConnell, 82, served a record-breaking 18 years at the helm of the party’s conference. He announced in February that he wouldstep down from his leadership rolefollowing the general election to make way for “the next generation of leadership."“I turned 82 last week. The end of my contributions are closer than I’d prefer,” McConnell said in a speech on the Senate floor at the time. “I am no longer the young man sitting in the back, hoping colleagues would remember my name.“He continued: “One of life’s most under-appreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter.“Colleagues check in on Mitch McConnell after he stopped talking during a news conference on July 26, 2023.Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesPrior to McConnell’s announcement that he would step back, voters and colleagues hadexpressed concernsabout his health in response totwo public freezing incidentsin which he suddenly stopped talking and moving while delivering remarks into a microphone.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.McConnell previously said that he will carry out the remainder of his Senate term despite handing over the reins of the conference. His seat is up for election in 2026.Republican Senate Whip John Thune of South Dakota.ShutterstockThune and Cornyn, 72, were long seen as the front-runners in the race to replace McConnell, but a late boost in support for Scott among Trump’s most loyal Senate followers made the outcome more challenging to predict.Thune joined the Senate in 2005 after previously serving in the House of Representatives for six years. He succeeded Cornyn as the Republican whip in 2019, which made him the No. 2-ranked GOP senator.The 2024 elections positioned Republicans to take control of Senatewith a 53-47 majorityon Jan. 3, at which point Thune will become the Senate majority leader.

South Dakota Sen.John Thunewas chosen to become the new Republican Senate leader on Wednesday, Nov. 13, replacing Kentucky Sen.Mitch McConnell.

Thune, 63, has been one of McConnell’s right-hand men in Congress. Hebeat out two other candidatesin a closed-door vote to secure the position: Texas Sen.John Cornyn, another McConnell ally, and Florida Sen.Rick Scott, a fierce defender ofDonald Trumpwho routinely criticized McConnell’s leadership.

McConnell, 82, served a record-breaking 18 years at the helm of the party’s conference. He announced in February that he wouldstep down from his leadership rolefollowing the general election to make way for “the next generation of leadership.”

“I turned 82 last week. The end of my contributions are closer than I’d prefer,” McConnell said in a speech on the Senate floor at the time. “I am no longer the young man sitting in the back, hoping colleagues would remember my name.”

He continued: “One of life’s most under-appreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter.”

Colleagues check in on Mitch McConnell after he stopped talking during a news conference on July 26, 2023.Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Prior to McConnell’s announcement that he would step back, voters and colleagues hadexpressed concernsabout his health in response totwo public freezing incidentsin which he suddenly stopped talking and moving while delivering remarks into a microphone.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.

McConnell previously said that he will carry out the remainder of his Senate term despite handing over the reins of the conference. His seat is up for election in 2026.

Republican Senate Whip John Thune of South Dakota.Shutterstock

Thune and Cornyn, 72, were long seen as the front-runners in the race to replace McConnell, but a late boost in support for Scott among Trump’s most loyal Senate followers made the outcome more challenging to predict.

Thune joined the Senate in 2005 after previously serving in the House of Representatives for six years. He succeeded Cornyn as the Republican whip in 2019, which made him the No. 2-ranked GOP senator.

The 2024 elections positioned Republicans to take control of Senatewith a 53-47 majorityon Jan. 3, at which point Thune will become the Senate majority leader.

source: people.com