Who Will Replace Mitch McConnell as the Republican Senate Leader? 3 People to Watch, Including the 2 'Johns'

Mar. 15, 2025

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who will step down from his leadership position after the 2024 elections in November.Photo:Drew Angerer/Getty

Drew Angerer/Getty

Mitch McConnell’s announcement in February that he wouldstep down as the Republican Senate leaderafter the November elections triggered an internal campaign on Capitol Hill to nab his coveted position.

Several names have been tossed around as possible successors throughout the year — some who are already part of the Senate GOP leadership team, and others who have made names for themselves as gifted consensus-builders or rabble-rousers ready to apply a fresh perspective.

After months of campaigning behind the scenes, three contenders have emerged as the leading candidates for the position. Whoever wins the secret-ballot election on Nov. 13 will not only become the Republican Senate leader, but will also steer the chamber as its majority leader, sincethe GOP is poised to take back control of the Senatein January.

Though McConnell called for “the next generation of leadership” in a floor speech announcing his next steps, the candidates to replace him aren’t necessarily young.

Below, the three men who have jumped in the race, including two “Johns” who have been loyal partners to McConnell.

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Texas Sen. John Cornyn

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

One day after McConnell announced his resignation, Cornyn, 72, declared his intent to run for the position, promising to “improve communication, increase transparency, and ensure inclusion of every Member’s expertise and opinion” if elected, according to astatement.

02of 03South Dakota Sen. John ThuneSen. John Thune of South Dakota.South Dakota Sen. John Thune joined Congress in 2004, after defeating then Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle. Now the second-highest-ranking Senate Republican, Thune, 63, is the Senate’s Republican whip. He’s responsible for getting party members on board with GOP leadership’s goals, and has proved a strong fundraiser for the party.Thune previously served as the Republican chief deputy whip and served as the Senate Republican Conference chair, the third-ranking position in the Senate, from 2012 to 2019. He chaired the Senate Republican Policy Committee from 2009 to 2012.“It’s Thune’s to lose, but Cornyn’s going to make it close,” a Republican aide toldThe Hillabout the leadership battle. “It’s going to be bloody and rough, and money is going to matter.”

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South Dakota Sen. John Thune

Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune joined Congress in 2004, after defeating then Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle. Now the second-highest-ranking Senate Republican, Thune, 63, is the Senate’s Republican whip. He’s responsible for getting party members on board with GOP leadership’s goals, and has proved a strong fundraiser for the party.

Thune previously served as the Republican chief deputy whip and served as the Senate Republican Conference chair, the third-ranking position in the Senate, from 2012 to 2019. He chaired the Senate Republican Policy Committee from 2009 to 2012.

“It’s Thune’s to lose, but Cornyn’s going to make it close,” a Republican aide toldThe Hillabout the leadership battle. “It’s going to be bloody and rough, and money is going to matter.”

03of 03Florida Sen. Rick ScottSen. Rick Scott of Florida.Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesAmong the country’s wealthiest elected officials, Sen. Rick Scott, 71, is a health care company founder who came to the Senate in 2019, after serving two terms as the governor of Florida. From 2021 to 2023, Scott chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He won his reelection bid to a second Senate term on Nov. 5.Scott has butted heads with McConnell during his time in Congress and, in 2022, announced that he would be running to take the role of Senate minority leaderwith Trump’s endorsement. In a letter to fellow Republicans at the time, he wrote, “I believe it’s time for the Senate Republican Conference to be far more bold and resolute than we have been in the past.” He ultimatelylost the raceto McConnell.Right-wing activist Laura Loomer controversially invited Scott onto her podcast in late October and endorsed his candidacy for leader, saying, “Donald Trump’s entire second administration will 100% be undermined and thwarted if John Thune or John Cornyn become the next Senate GOP leader.““The only way we are going to have a successful Trump administration and somebody who is actually going to impose a MAGA majority in the Senate,” she continued, “is if Sen. Rick Scott becomes our next Senate GOP leader.”

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Florida Sen. Rick Scott

Sen. Rick Scott of Florida.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Among the country’s wealthiest elected officials, Sen. Rick Scott, 71, is a health care company founder who came to the Senate in 2019, after serving two terms as the governor of Florida. From 2021 to 2023, Scott chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He won his reelection bid to a second Senate term on Nov. 5.

Scott has butted heads with McConnell during his time in Congress and, in 2022, announced that he would be running to take the role of Senate minority leaderwith Trump’s endorsement. In a letter to fellow Republicans at the time, he wrote, “I believe it’s time for the Senate Republican Conference to be far more bold and resolute than we have been in the past.” He ultimatelylost the raceto McConnell.

Right-wing activist Laura Loomer controversially invited Scott onto her podcast in late October and endorsed his candidacy for leader, saying, “Donald Trump’s entire second administration will 100% be undermined and thwarted if John Thune or John Cornyn become the next Senate GOP leader.”

“The only way we are going to have a successful Trump administration and somebody who is actually going to impose a MAGA majority in the Senate,” she continued, “is if Sen. Rick Scott becomes our next Senate GOP leader.”

source: people.com