John Thune Re-elected Senate Republican Leader, to Serve as Minority Leader in the New Congress
Senate Republicans re-elected Sen. John Thune of South Dakota as leader of the Senate Republican Conference in a closed-door vote at the U.S. Capitol on November 10. Thune, who ran unopposed, was re-elected by acclamation and will serve as Senate minority leader when the 120th Congress convenes in January 2027.
The vote came after Republicans lost their Senate majority in last week's midterm elections. Some Republican senators had sought to postpone the leadership election, arguing the party needed more time to reckon with the losses, but a private vote to delay the contest failed by 15 to 31. Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, who had pushed for the postponement, walked out of the room as the voting began.
Thune, 65, succeeded Mitch McConnell as Senate Republican leader in early 2025 and, as majority leader, steered many of the administration's second-term priorities through the chamber, including the party's large budget bill. In a statement after the vote, he said he appreciated the opportunity for an open and honest conversation with his colleagues and was honored to have their continued trust and support to lead the conference in the 120th Congress.
Sen. John Barrasso was also re-elected in the same leadership elections and will serve as minority whip in the new Congress. The Senate Democratic leadership elections are expected in early December.
Source: U.S. Senate Republican Conference
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国参议员 John Thune 官方肖像（公共领域，美国参议院，经 Wikimedia Commons）。 / Photo: Official portrait of U.S. Senator John Thune. Public domain, U.S. Senate, via Wikimedia Commons.
