SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Senator John Thune continues his quest to become the Republican Leader in the U.S. Senate. Political experts say he took a step in securing the top position by donating $4 million in campaign funds to help other Republican senatorial candidates win their races.
The last South Dakotan to hold the top position in the Senate was Democratic Senator Tom Daschle, who served as both Majority and Minority Leader before Thune ousted him from the Senate 20 years ago.
Thune has one of the largest war chests in the U.S. Senate. The latest “Friends of John Thune” campaign finance records show more than $18 million in cash on hand.
USD Professor Emeritus Michael Card says Thune is building relationships with fellow Senators.
“Showing that he can raise money to help keep the majority or to obtain the majority and then keep it,” Card said.
Current Minority Leader Senator Mitch McConnell will step down after 18 years as the top Senate Republican. Thune, who is currently the whip, is running against two other Senators for the top position.
“You just want to make the argument, good argument as you possibly can,” Thune told KELOLAND News three weeks ago.
Thune also told us ultimately it’s up to the Republican Senators to make the decision about who they want to lead them. The next Republican Leader will be chosen by secret ballot in nine weeks.
“I think we are giving them hopefully what is a very persuasive argument,” Thune said.
South Dakota’s senior Senator also says he wants to make sure Republican candidates running for Senate seats have the resources to get their message out in the waning weeks of the campaign.
According to professor Card, that’s because he feels this year’s Senate elections appear to favor Republicans, giving them a good chance of retaking control of the senate.
“If you have a President and you have the Senate in the majority, you can control federal judges appointments. You can control treaties; you can control appointments to the federal bureaucracy,” Card said. “And the Senate’s control is absolutely essential for the control of the government and the way that our system is currently structured.”
Republican Senators will vote for a new leader on November 13th, the week after the Presidential election.
