SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO/AP) — Neither of South Dakota’s senators representing the state in Washington is up for reelection on Tuesday, but one of them does have a significant contest just eight days later when GOP senators are set to pick their next leader. South Dakota’s John Thune is campaigning for the role.
“When we get past the election, obviously it’ll be a real push because the election will happen the week after that, the leadership election,” Thune said. “There’ll be a real push to start locking people down. But we’ve got a good number, feel good about our commitments that we’ve already received.”
Republican senators will cast secret ballots for their new leader on Nov. 13; Thune said Thursday he’s one of three senators running at the moment. Whether or not that person is the majority or minority leader depends on the outcome of Tuesday’s Senate races.
“Right now there are 49 Republican senators,” Thune said. “After this election we’re, we think it could be in the 50s.”
The winner of the vote needs a majority of their colleagues’ support to become leader. Thune says he represents “a new generation of leadership.”
“I have an approach that’s built around consultation, listening, allowing the committees to work,” Thune said.
Only one other South Dakota lawmaker has served as Senate majority or minority leader in Washington: Tom Daschle, who spent time in both roles. Thune says becoming his party’s leader in the Senate would lift up his home state, too.
“It keeps South Dakota at the forefront of every debate at the national level,” he said.
Thune says Rick Scott of Florida and John Cornyn of Texas are also running. Thune is the youngest of the three; he will turn 64 in early January.
