With Republicans back in control of the Senate, the real drama begins next week when lawmakers return to Washington.
Three contenders are jockeying to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as GOP leader: Minority Whip John Thune of South Dakota, John Cornyn of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida.
The leadership vote is slated to take place Nov. 13.
McConnell, the longest-serving party leader in Senate history, announced in February he would step down from the role following this year’s elections.
The mild-mannered Kentucky sage had a bitter falling out with former President Donald Trump during the aftermath of the 2020 election, prompting the latter to occasionally lash out at McConnell and hurl racially-tinged attacks against his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
Trump, 78, has generally been far more chummy with House Republican leadership than their Senate peers, but that dynamic may change depending on who senators pick to lead them.
Scott, who unsuccessfully challenged McConnell after the 2022 midterms, is seen as the underdog in the race, while Thune and Cornyn have worked closely with McConnell and adhere to the Kentuckian’s brand of traditional Republican politics.
McConnell has refrained from meddling in the race and very few Republican senators have publicly endorsed a contender thus far. Many have indicated that they are still undecided.
Trump has also declined to publicly endorse a contender.
“The president obviously has tremendous influence, if he chooses to use it,” Thune mused on Fox News Wednesday.
All three contenders quickly heralded Trump’s victory and vowed to help enact his agenda.
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“It is critically important that the Senate is prepared to enact his pro-growth agenda from day one. Come January, we must be ready to confirm his nominees, pass a budget, address our debt, extend the Trump tax cuts, and reverse Kamala Harris’ disastrous border security policies,” Cornyn said in a statement.
Thune said, “The incoming Senate Republican majority will work hand-in-hand with the Trump-Vance administration to lower costs for families, secure our southern border, and renew America’s energy dominance.”
Meanwhile, Scott spokesperson McKinley Lewis declared that the Sunshine Stater “will bring Florida’s winning conservative record to Washington and be a true ally to President Trump to execute his agenda and fundamentally change the direction of this country.”
Scott was in charge of the Senate Republicans’ official campaign arm, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, during the 2022 midterms — in which the party dramatically underperformed expectations.
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McConnell, who was elected to the Senate in 1984, is widely seen as a member of the more traditional wing of the Republican Party, skeptical of Trump’s brand of economic populism and “America First” isolationism.
The Kentuckian’s term ends at the start of 2027 and he hasn’t said whether or not he will run again in 2026.
“I think this is the most dangerous time since right before World War II,” McConnell told reporters Wednesday at a press conference during which he exulted over the coming Republican Senate takeover.
“One of the most gratifying results of the Senate becoming Republican,” he said, “[is] the filibuster will stand, there won’t be any new states admitted that will benefit the other side. And we’ll quit beating up the Supreme Court.”
Other Senate leadership contests
Republicans will also elect two other members of the party hierarchy next week.
Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) is vying for the post of Senate Majority Whip and has Trump’s endorsement in that race.
Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) are jockeying to succeed Barrasso in the role of Senate Republican Conference chair.
