GOP leadership race/ Thune Senate leader/ Republican leadership contest/ Newslooks/ MITCHELL/ S.D./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Senator John Thune of South Dakota is vying to become the next Republican Senate leader after Mitch McConnell, but his path is uncertain in a party reshaped by Donald Trump. Thune’s quiet determination and traditional GOP values are being tested as he navigates Trump’s influence and competition from other candidates, including Rick Scott and John Cornyn.
John Thune’s Leadership Bid: Quick Looks
- Thune’s Ambitions: Thune aims to succeed Mitch McConnell as Senate Republican leader, competing with Rick Scott and John Cornyn.
- Trump’s Influence: Thune, who has occasionally defied Trump, endorsed him for president to strengthen their working relationship.
- Political Background: Thune has risen through the ranks since defeating then-Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle in 2004, maintaining traditional GOP values.
- Senate Leadership: Thune is seen as a steady figure but faces challenges navigating Trump-aligned politics in today’s GOP.
John Thune Eyes Senate GOP Leadership, Faces Challenge in Trump’s Party
Deep Look:
Senator John Thune, 63, is eyeing the Senate Republican leadership role as Mitch McConnell’s tenure comes to an end. While Thune has built his career on traditional GOP values and a quiet but determined style, the political landscape has shifted dramatically in the Trump era, leaving questions about whether he can rise to power in a party that increasingly favors the former president’s brand of politics.
Thune’s ambition has led him from his humble beginnings in Murdo, South Dakota, to Washington, D.C., where he is now preparing for a leadership race that will be decided by his Senate Republican colleagues after the November election. He faces stiff competition from Texas Senator John Cornyn, a seasoned fundraiser, and Florida Senator Rick Scott, a strong Trump ally. More candidates could enter the race before it’s decided.
Thune, who had a close call with Trump in 2020 when he dismissed the former president’s attempts to overturn the election, now finds himself balancing his pragmatic leadership approach with Trump’s dominance in the GOP. This spring, Thune even visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago, working to smooth their relationship. Despite their past differences, Thune has endorsed Trump for president, indicating a professional willingness to work with him if both men win their respective elections.
“I think he understands where I’m coming from, so we’ll see what happens,” Thune said, hinting at his ability to navigate Trump’s influence while maintaining his own leadership identity.
Thune’s career has been defined by a knack for timing and a relentless drive to win, qualities honed during his youth playing basketball and running track in small-town South Dakota. His athleticism and competitive spirit helped him rise in politics, starting with his mentorship under South Dakota Senator James Abdnor and eventually leading to his challenge against then-Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, a Democrat, in 2004. Thune won that race, one of the most notable victories of his career, and has since held the No. 2 position in Senate GOP leadership as the party whip.
While Thune’s leadership style contrasts sharply with Trump’s, he has avoided direct confrontation with the former president, a strategy that has allowed him to remain in Trump’s good graces while continuing his own rise. After Thune criticized Trump’s election fraud claims in 2020, Trump attempted to recruit a primary challenger against Thune, but those efforts failed. Now, Thune acknowledges the challenges of Trump’s presidency but insists that the Constitution and rule of law will prevail.
“Stylistically, it might not be the way I would do it or the way any other former president has done it,” Thune said of Trump. “But in the end, the Constitution, the rule of law, governs this country. That’s our bedrock principle, and we can’t deviate from that.”
Thune’s competitive streak runs deep, and he carries the sting of past losses, particularly his narrow defeat in the 2002 Senate race by just 524 votes. That loss has driven him to avoid defeat at all costs. Whether on the basketball court or in the political arena, Thune approaches every challenge with the same intensity.
“He would do whatever it took to win,” said Chris Venard, a former high school teammate of Thune’s.
This year, Thune is applying that determination to his Senate leadership bid. He has pledged a record $4 million to the GOP’s Senate campaign arm, held one-on-one meetings with every Senate colleague to solidify support, and campaigned across the country for Republican candidates in hopes of securing a Senate majority.
However, Thune is mindful that the Republican Party has changed. Once a rising star in the traditional GOP mold, Thune is now adjusting to a political landscape where loyalty to Trump is a defining factor for many Republicans. During a recent town hall in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Thune was asked bluntly: “What are you doing to get Trump back in the White House?”
“Well, we’re doing everything we can,” Thune responded.
“No, you,” came the follow-up. “I want to know what you are doing.”
While Thune has endorsed Trump, his leadership bid represents more than just Trump loyalty. His ability to connect with voters, balance traditional GOP values, and navigate the party’s Trump-aligned factions will be crucial as he seeks to become the next Senate Republican leader.
With the leadership race approaching, Thune is tapping into the same drive that made him a standout athlete in high school. “It’s a brutal race,” he said of the Senate leadership contest. “But you’ve got to gut it out.”
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