SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The race for Senate majority leader will be decided in two days. South Dakota’s John Thune faces John Cornyn of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida. Republican senators will vote by secret ballot for the person they want to lead them. Current majority leader Mitch McConnell will step down after two decades in power.
So, on Wednesday Thune will find out if all his years of hard work in positioning himself for party leadership will once again pay off. You’ve often seen him standing behind current majority leader Mitch McConnell during major announcements. Thune currently sits in the number two spot as whip, which has given him the opportunity to form relationships with the senators in his party. Thune’s fundraising prowess has also added to his reputation.
Wednesday’s vote will take place by secret ballot. Some supporters of president Trump are suggesting the vote should be made public. Trump has not endorsed anyone, but yesterday he made it clear that he expects the new leader to go around regular Senate protocol and allow him to make appointments when the chamber is in recess, bypassing a confirmation vote.
Thune says all options are on the table and told us moving quickly would be a priority for him.
“Obviously, we now get to set the agenda in the Senate,” said Thune. “And working with the Republican president we can help confirm get his people in the right positions to implement his agenda and work with him on that. Obviously, that applies to executive branch, agencies and departments, also the courts.”
South Dakota’s other U.S. Senator, Mike Rounds tells us he is excited about the prospect of Thune in charge of the Senate.
“We are going to do everything we can to continue to support his candidacy. I think the Senate is better off with John in that position,” said Rounds.
Rounds also says with Thune in charge South Dakota’s interests will get the attention they deserve. Thune has been working to shore up support, talking with his fellow senators and helping get Republicans elected to the Senate.
“Clearly it is a lot of listening,” said Thune. “And this has been going on for some time we’ve known for about 8 months that Senator McConnell was not going to run again for his leadership job and so I’ve sat down with every one of my colleagues, in many cases multiple times. I’ve been out on the trail helping as much as we can to make sure we are doing everything we can to make sure the team succeeds.”
Newly elected senators will vote in the party election, while those leaving the Senate will not. The last and only South Dakota Senator to serve as Majority Leader was Tom Daschle, the man Thune beat to become a member of the senate 20 years ago this month.
