Theres a very simple answer: Yes. Scott announced Tuesday that he would take on McConnell for the seat, arguing that the status quo is broken and big change is needed. His complaints about GOP leadership followed months of feuding with McConnell over campaign strategy that devolved into open warfare after Democrats maintained control of the Senate last week. 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. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images. He listened and was receptive to the folks that he knows probably voted against him. That's why he was criticized for the "legislative graveyard" of proposals that died on his desk. 2 Senate GOP leader and likely successor to Republican leader Mitch McConnell, has announced he will run for reelection in 2022, putting an end to the speculation about the South Dakota senator's political future. 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 3 Senate GOP leader whom Republicans believe is likely to ascend to the whip job first as Cornyn and Thune compete to succeed McConnell. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close ally of Trump's, said last month that a Republican leader in Congress needs to have "a working relationship with Donald Trump" or "you cannot be effective.". And probably wont do that anytime in the immediate future.. 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). But Cornyn, 69, brings his own formidable resume: He ran the National Republican Senatorial Committee for two cycles, served as whip for six years and is still a McConnell confidante at the leaders table of advisers. McConnell has also been the target of Trump's wrath after voting for a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a proposal to allow Democrats to raise the debt ceiling by themselves with a simple majority vote. Cornyn has as well. While many Republican senators share McConnells view, others do not and are frustrated with the GOP leader for condemning the former President in harsh terms, arguing his comments have put them in a complicated position. 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. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell joined at left by Minority Whip John Thune, speaks to reporters after a Republican strategy meeting at the Capitol in Those term limits, however, do not apply to the top leader. The primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. I look forward to earning the support of all South Dakotans in the 2022 election for Senate, he continued. 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.. So Im convinced that if I run, I win. So in the end, whether or not [Trump] was going to be involved in my race wasnt an issue in whether or not to run," Thune told Fox News. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. After one unsuccessful Senate bid in 2002, Thune knocked off the top Senate Democratic leader, Tom Daschle, in 2004. Senate Democrats can keep approving President Joe Biden's nominees to the federal judiciary even without any Republican colleagues' support, for example, because those nominations can advance with just 51 votes. The final vote was 37-10, with one Republican voting present.. nor former Senate Republican Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) appear to be actively jockeying to replace McConnell. They don't see what goes on behind the scenes, the organization, the planning, getting people to work together.". Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy won't seek reelection next year, House retirement tracker: Senior Democrats exit as the GOP is confident of a takeover. So Im not in any way offended by having an opponent or having a few votes in opposition.. Sens. It validates him as leader in a really big way. We must start saying what we are for, not just what we are against.. and so what comes next? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. Sen. Samuel Corum/Getty Images Mitt Romney said he needs to see how that feels in the coming months as he considers whether to test his brand of politics one more time. 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. That is something Id like to pursue, Cornyn said Tuesday of the Senate GOPs top spot. Instead, the former president this week went after Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) Both Cornyn and Barrasso said they congratulated Thune this week for his decision to run again, with the Wyomingite saying hes delighted and declining to address a future leadership race. News Channel 3-12 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. "In terms of his wrestling match with President Trump, that's an issue that I guess will sort itself out over time. Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MSNBC political contributor. Thune and Cornyn arent asking for anyones support, and both say they theyll support McConnell as long as the Kentuckian is in office. "It's kind of like being a head coach in football, people look at sometimes the outward statements. What that means, Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, King asks Duke and Duchess of Sussex to move out of Frogmore so Prince Andrew can move in, Biden Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene With 1 Simple Hand Gesture, A Nebraska high-school cheerleader competed on her own after the rest of her squad quit. But thats a decision Ill make., Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) arrives at the U.S. Capitol on April 25, 2022. 2 Senate Republican and a close ally of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), on Saturday announced he will run for Then senator said, "I never rule anything out" but quickly added that "it's not something at this point that I aspire to. 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. Asked if hell be crisscrossing the country this year, helping fellow Republicans in Senate elections, Thune said "if its helpful. Environmental justice investors: Its the demand-side, stupid! John Thune, the No. CNN contacted the 16 Senate Republicans up for reelection in 2022 on Thursday about whether they still back McConnell and just three responded. "I think he does a good job," he said. 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.". Hes been a really important part of our conference. 2-ranking Republican in the Senate, announced on Saturday that he would seek another six-year term in the Senate in order to deliver for South Dakota, emphasizing that he's "uniquely positioned to get that job done. Maura Healey unveils state budget proposal highlighted by free community college. Those term limits, however, do not apply to the top leader. Romney said he needs to see how that feels in the coming months as he considers whether to test his brand of politics one more time. McConnell was elected to a seventh Senate term in 2020 by a nearly 20-point margin over Democrat Amy McGrath and won't be up for reelection until 2026. Its like, what should I do in the time I have left? John Thune of South Dakota serves as the No. 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. Eric Greitens, another Republican Senate hopeful in 2022, also said a few months ago that he wouldn't support McConnell, either. Market data provided by Factset. Yet if theres a favorite McConnell heir, no one is saying. 2 Senate Republican who faces voters in South Dakota next year, told CNN in a statement. Former President Trump speaks at a rally on Sept. 25, 2021, in Perry, Georgia. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks during a press conference at the US Capitol on September 28, 2022. McConnell has long stressed electability as the most important trait for his candidates. Legal Statement. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. The other GOP senators who did not respond: Sens. Thune has accrued internal support with the help of personal dinners, massive financial transfers to the party committee and his role as current party whip. And it frightened independent and moderate Republican voters, McConnell said of the midterm election losses on Tuesday. Thune is allowed to serve two more years as the Republican whip before he will be required to step down from the post at the end of 2024 because of the Senate Republican Conferences term-limit rules for leadership posts. It shows his strength, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), who voted for McConnell, said of Wednesdays election. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Whether he could win is frankly, not a question in my mind, Romney said in an interview. Also he is currently leading the Ukraine He called Thune an "outstanding senator" in a radio interview in late December. or redistributed. for saying the 2020 elections were fairly won, which some Republicans said Tuesday was helpful to Thune. John Cornyn (Texas), the former GOP whip, and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) From Politico: Utahs voters are near evenly split over whether Romney should run again yet a Romney reelection is important to McConnell to demonstrate the partys appeal goes beyond Trump, even as the former presidents critics vanish from the congressional GOP. Two Trump-backed Senate candidates have said they won't support Mitch McConnell for majority leader, which has the potential to make a real difference. McConnell was elected to a seventh Senate term in 2020 by a nearly 20-point margin over Democrat Amy McGrath and won't be up for reelection until 2026. I dont own this job, McConnell said afterward. Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything What Bidens FHA mortgage fee cut means for buyers. What do I want to accomplish? Senate.". Thune briefly considered a run for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination before deciding not to launch a campaign. His` larger ambitions aside, the Florida Republican just oversaw a series of humiliating Senate GOP defeats in the midterm elections, with candidate quality being a serious problem. Hes worked with Democrats frequently, yet just as easily takes a hard conservative line on issues like the debt ceiling. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Drew Angerer/Getty Images. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) Roy Blunt (R-Mo. CNN contacted the 16 Senate Republicans up for reelection in 2022 on Thursday about whether they still back McConnell and just three responded. Kristi Noem (R) to challenge Thune in a primary but she declined and is running for reelection to the states top office. | Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday said he's optimistic about the 2022 midterm elections for Republicans. And, what can be accomplished?. Part of HuffPost Politics. For months, Thune, 61, had said he was undecided about whether he would run for a fourth term. Even out of office he has caused headaches for Senate GOP leadership by weighing into fights over the infrastructure bill and the debt ceiling. The decision by Senate Minority Whip John Thune to run for reelection sets up an intricate shuffle among a trio of Republicans named John to succeed McConnell. "I have not heard anybody say anything negative," he added. Republicans are defending 20 seats during the 2022 midterm elections, including five open seats where Sens. But theres no more prominent GOP Trump foil these days than Romney. Cornyns power base stems from his time as whip and party committee chair in 2010 and 2012 as well as his continued fundraising prowess for the party and handy reelection win in 2020 after Democrats tried to make Texas a battleground state. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. If youre going to assess blame for election losses, I dont know how you trade in the leader for the chairman of the NRSC, Cramer mused to reporters on Tuesday. I hope by the time Mitt really gets into full swing on the campaign, were not talking about the influence of Donald Trump, said Murkowski, who is encouraging Romney to run again. Hes a key player in the Senates centrist negotiating groups that have helped craft new laws on infrastructure, gun safety and marriage equality and he wants to continue that style of work as long as hes a senator. on Tuesday said no one's making a move to replace McConnell. But some Republicans have raised questions about whether he can effectively serve as leader while his relationship with the former president remains strained. They dont see what goes on behind the scenes, the organization, the planning, getting people to work together.. Kristi Noem, a close ally of the former president, to launch a primary challenge against Thune. Here's what that means for the kind of power he'll be able to wield. Market data provided by Factset. But it's worth noting for context that the far-right Alaskan isn't alone in adopting an anti-McConnell position. Under Scott, the NRSC took a hands-off approach to GOP primaries, embracing those candidates in the general election. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. listens to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell talk to reporters. ', Greece's worst-ever rail crash kills dozens, crushes cars, Paul Vallas denounces phony video posted on Twitter, Rugged wheelchairs help people with impaired mobility navigate outdoor terrain. ), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) are retiring. Sen. John Thune speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 7, 2021. hide caption. The Senate is currently split 50-50 between the two major parties, but Democrats hold a razor-thin majority due to the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Kamala Harris through her constitutional duty as president of the chamber. Murkowski herself may face punishment herself when the state party meets March 13, where it is expected to discuss her vote to convict Trump and debate any GOP effort to censure her. Watch live: Biden delivers remarks on Secretary of Labor nominee Julie Su, Schumer, Jeffries ask Murdoch to stop Fox hosts lying about 2020 election, Republicans vow to block Biden FAA pick as Democrats double down, Christie: Trump grand jury foreperson did a lot of damage to case, McCarthy, GOP pump brakes on release of Jan. 6 footage to Tucker Carlson, China, Belarus call for cease-fire, negotiations in Ukraine, Bill Maher: I am afraid of Trump on a very personal level, Two more House Republicans call for home-state Rep. Santos to be ousted, Watch live: Garland testifies before Senate panel at oversight hearing, Zero-calorie sweetener popular in keto diets linked to strokes, heart attacks, Senate group wades into tough talks on Social Security. 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