Though GOP senators expressed confidence earlier this year that he would run, Thune set off alarm bells within the caucus when he told a South Dakota publication that his wife was ready for him to call it quits. We got a lot of legislation of significant nature through, Romney said in the interview. But don't be surprised if the former president tries to secure related commitments from other candidates, which might start to make a difference in 2022. Trump, on the other hand, has launched an anti-McConnell campaign and appears determined to oust him from his leadership post. Thune is allowed to serve two more years as the Republican whip before he will be required to step down from the post at the end of 2024 because of the Senate Republican Conferences term-limit rules for leadership posts. Because at the end of the day were going to have to have someone in the party who understands how to fight fire with fire when it comes to Sen. (Chuck) Schumer if were going to win back the majority, which we will., Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican facing voters next year, also confirmed through a spokesperson that he supports Sen. McConnell as leader.. Even out of office he has caused headaches for Senate GOP leadership by weighing into fights over the infrastructure bill and the debt ceiling. are also viewed as jockeying for the top spot. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. McConnell said in an interview that hes absolutely willing to do the same for Romney, and is pushing his colleague for another bid. The gender pay gap has stayed largely unchanged for 20 years. Murkowski is the lone GOP senator up for reelection who voted to convict Trump something she has defended since joining six of her GOP colleagues and 50 Senate Democrats to find the former President guilty of inciting the Capitol insurrection. All rights reserved. Those term limits, however, do not apply to the top leader. CNN In August, Mitch McConnell told a hard truth . "It's kind of like being a head coach in football, people look at sometimes the outward statements. Sen. John Thune speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 7, 2021. For McConnell, no Senate GOP challengers have emerged who could knock him off his perch in the body, so theres no immediate threat to his leadership position. Sen. John Thune (S.D. Hes wonderful to work with. The two have not only written laws together, but also spoofed Ted Lasso for Halloween. While many Republican senators share McConnells view, others do not and are frustrated with the GOP leader for condemning the former President in harsh terms, arguing his comments have put them in a complicated position. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. When Mitch McConnell steps down as Senate GOP leader, which wont happen anytime soon, John is sure to replace him. With Thunes announcement, Senate Republicans are just waiting to hear from one member GOP Sen. Ron Johnson (Wis.), who had previously pledged to retire after 2022 but has sounded increasingly likely to run again. People assumed that Mitch McConnell will be up for re-election in 2022 following his election in 2020, which he won. Its like, what should I do in the time I have left? Theres Thune the South Dakotan, McConnells current deputy, as well as former whip John Cornyn of Texas, the two favorites to succeed the GOP leader. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. GOP senators say they dont know of any Republican senator who plans to challenge McConnell for the top Republican leadership slot in the Senate despite his rocky relationship with Trump, who remains popular with Republican base voters. The Trump Archive launched in January 2017. McConnell, during a recent interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, predicted that Republicans have a great cycle with a good chance of getting the majority back., The atmosphere is terrible [for Democrats], he added. He hinted his wife's preference was that he retire. McConnell had lobbied his second-in-command to run for reelection in the solidly red state where Thune enjoys broad support. So Im convinced that if I run, I win. Unlike the other three, however, Romneys biggest threat is more likely to come in a primary than in the general election. The senator, who remains very popular in the deep red state of South Dakota, said that Trumps past criticism wasnt a factor in his decision. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), a Trump ally and former college football coach, said McConnells doing a good job, shrugging off the former presidents scathing criticism of the leader. 2022 MIDTERMS: WILL A RED WAVE OVERCOME A BLUE WALL? It validates him as leader in a really big way. But its a clear sign that Republicans are eager to avoid being caught in the middle of a divisive fight over Trumps role in the party after McConnell accused Trump of a disgraceful dereliction of duty and being responsible for the deadly January 6 riot, despite the GOP leaders vote to acquit Trump on the contention that trying a former president is unconstitutional. "We work hard in South Dakota, connect with the people in our state and always put their interest first, and I think they appreciate that. Many of Mitt Romneys fellow senators assume his willingness to break from his party and Donald Trump means hes planning for only one term. For months, Thune, 61, had said he was undecided about whether he would run for a fourth term. Hes a key player in the Senates centrist negotiating groups that have helped craft new laws on infrastructure, gun safety and marriage equality and he wants to continue that style of work as long as hes a senator. Sens. Hes been a really important part of our conference. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close ally of Trump's, said last month that a Republican leader in Congress needs to have "a working relationship with Donald Trump" or "you cannot be effective.". CNN On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell went public with what has long been suspected: He has no plans to leave the Senate even if his party loses its majority in November. Thunes decision,which he had held off announcing after going past his end-of-year timeline, will likely bring a sigh of relief to Senate Republicans, who had grown increasingly alarmed that the 61-year-old senator would retire after 2022. Tuberville said he thinks McConnell as compiled a good record over the past year and doesn't know of anyone looking to usurp his leadership. But some Republicans have raised questions about whether he can effectively serve as leader while his relationship with the former president remains strained. The Utahn was the first senator in history to vote to remove a president of the same party from office, in Trumps first impeachment trial. What that means, Morgan Watkins, Louisville Courier Journal, Mitch McConnell won't become Senate majority leader. on Tuesday said no one's making a move to replace McConnell. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) talks with Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) outside the U.S. Capitol, Aug. 4, 2022. Then theres John Barrasso, the No. WebThe Trump Archive collects TV news shows containing debates, speeches, rallies, and other broadcasts related to Donald Trump, before, during and after his presidency. ', Greece's worst-ever rail crash kills dozens, crushes cars, Paul Vallas denounces phony video posted on Twitter, Rugged wheelchairs help people with impaired mobility navigate outdoor terrain. Webciccotti center program guide 2022; romantic things to do in hollywood, fl; where is hollis and nancy homestead located; houses to rent in nashville, tn under $800; middlesboro daily news arrests; top chef 2021 replay; what does malika mean in the bible. Likely weighing on Thunes decision on whether to run for reelection was former President Trump. While the lack of response from GOP senators over McConnell underscores the awkward spot Republicans find themselves in, some made clear they are behind the Senate Republican leader. And though she said Cornyn and Barrasso would do a very good job, shes one of the few GOP senators willing to weigh in on the shadow leadership race. Kristi Noem to launch a primary challenge against him. However, Democratsclinched the majoritywhen Democratic U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, America's first-ever Latina senator, won her highly competitive reelection bid. He's also focused on agriculture issues during his tenure on Capitol Hill. His` larger ambitions aside, the Florida Republican just oversaw a series of humiliating Senate GOP defeats in the midterm elections, with candidate quality being a serious problem. The vote was 37-10, senators said, with one other senator voting present. McConnell-allied groups took the opposite tack, seeking initially to boost more traditional establishment-type Republicans. Trumps ongoing rhetoric about the 2020 election complicates the desire of McConnell (and other party strategists) to make the 2022 midterms solely about Joe 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. listens to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell talk to reporters. Hes great. James Lankford of Oklahoma; Mike Lee of Utah; John Kennedy of Louisiana; John Boozman of Arkansas; Mike Crapo of Idaho; Chuck Grassley of Iowa; Lisa Murkowski of Alaska; John Hoeven of North Dakota; and Marco Rubio of Florida. (AP Photo/J. If Trump mounts another run for president, the shine of being Senate GOP leader might dull a bit. The senator predicted that Trump's baseless challenge of the results in Congress would go down like "a shot dog." He has But his attack on Trump and Trumps scathing response could reverberate in Senate primaries where candidates are largely aligning themselves with the former President in an attempt to court his base, even as McConnell has vowed to employ his political operation to push candidates he views as most electable. And I never rule anything out, Thune said in a Tuesday interview. Severe Weather I think he does a good job, he said. DeSantis pushes for dismissal of lawsuit brought by migrants sent to Marthas Feehery: Progressive DC government turning city into a dystopia, Vance pitches PPP for Ohio while other Republicans say to wait, The shepherd boy, the wolf and the threat to Israeli democracy, Watch live: White House monkeypox response team holds briefing, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Cornyn has as well. 3 Senate GOP leader whom Republicans believe is likely to ascend to the whip job first as Cornyn and Thune compete to succeed McConnell. The 61-year-old once mulled running for president but has committed himself to the Senate after passing on national ambitions. Both senators said their most important election right now is this November, when they have a real shot at taking back the majority. Here's what that means for the kind of power he'll be able to wield. Kristi Noem, a close ally of the former president, to launch a primary challenge against Thune. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Heres how. Breaking News Former Missouri Gov. That is something Id like to pursue, Cornyn said Tuesday of the Senate GOPs top spot. GOP senators say they don't know of any Republican senator who plans to challenge McConnell for the top Republican leadership slot in the Senate despite his rocky relationship with Trump, who remains popular with Republican base voters. "In terms of his wrestling match with President Trump, that's an issue that I guess will sort itself out over time. John Thune of South Dakota serves as the No. DeSantis pushes for dismissal of lawsuit brought by migrants sent to Marthas Feehery: Progressive DC government turning city into a dystopia, Vance pitches PPP for Ohio while other Republicans say to wait, The shepherd boy, the wolf and the threat to Israeli democracy, Watch live: White House monkeypox response team holds briefing, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday said he will run for another term as the chambers top GOP leader at the end of the year, shutting down Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in New Hampshire. With the state attorney general among the conservatives eyeing a challenge, Utahs voters are near evenly split over whether Romney should run again yet a Romney reelection is important to McConnell to demonstrate the partys appeal goes beyond Trump, even as the former presidents critics vanish from the congressional GOP. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Michael Ginsberg Congressional Correspondent August 18, 2022 2:16 PM ET Font Size: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell expressed concern Thursday about Republicans ability to take back the Senate during the upcoming November midterms, as polls show GOP candidates trailing Democrats in key races. Sen. John Thune (S.D. Thune rose quickly through the ranks in the chamber and has held multiple leadership posts. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mitch McConnell won't become Senate majority leader. McConnell says he will do everything possible to ensure Romney succeeds. In all likelihood, McConnell didn't respond to her statement with any real concern, in part because Murkowski is still favored to win re-election, and in part because he doesn't have any real rivals in the Senate GOP conference. But theres no more prominent GOP Trump foil these days than Romney. John Thune, the No. He has consistently avoided answering questions about his relationship with Trump by saying hes focused on fighting President Bidens multi-trillion-dollar agenda in Congress and helping Republicans win back the Senate majority in 2022. Thanks to the filibuster a 60-vote threshold senators must meet to advance most bills Democrats need support from several Republicans, at least, to pass plenty of proposals. A vote to delay the leadership elections until after next months Georgia Senate runoff was defeated, 32-16. We underperformed among independents and moderates because their impression of many of the people in our party, in leadership roles, is that theyre causing chaos, negativity, excessive attacks. Glenn Clary, the state party chairman, told CNN that some people are angry and upset and some people say she voted her conscience.. "I've always promised that I would do the work, even when it was hard, uncomfortable, or unpopular," Thune said in a statement posted on Twitter. That gives McConnell and his team influence over what bills succeed and which ones fail. Murkowski herself may face punishment herself when the state party meets March 13, where it is expected to discuss her vote to convict Trump and debate any GOP effort to censure her. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, All rights reserved. Yet Trumps attacks ceased, and as he measured his future, Thune said the possibility of one day becoming Republican leader put additional weight on the side of staying around, for sure.. From Politico: Utahs voters are near evenly split over whether Romney should run again yet a Romney reelection is important to McConnell to demonstrate the partys appeal goes beyond Trump, even as the former presidents critics vanish from the congressional GOP. Romneys ultimate decision on reelection will say far more about the state of the Republican Party than any other safe red seat. Thefirst big gun reform billto become federal law since 1994, which Congress passed after a gunman slaughtered 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday said he's optimistic about the 2022 midterm elections for Republicans. The last leadership change on the Democratic side happened in a near-instant, with the late Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announcing his retirement and immediately endorsing Sen. Chuck Schumer to succeed him. Leader McConnell has my full support and confidence. nears the finish line on new track at Freedom Field, Amazon's Daisy Jones & the Six Is the Latest in a Long Line of Embarrassing Portraits of Musical Genius. He listened and was receptive to the folks that he knows probably voted against him. His clout isn't as strong as it was when he was majority leader, but it's still consequential, including when it comes to delivering government funds to Kentucky. Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, King asks Duke and Duchess of Sussex to move out of Frogmore so Prince Andrew can move in, Biden Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene With 1 Simple Hand Gesture, A Nebraska high-school cheerleader competed on her own after the rest of her squad quit. also backed another Romney run and is planning to meet with him soon to discuss his plans. Cornyn said Thune is a very important part of our conference and has a lot to offer, while underscoring that a reelection run is a separate question than who succeeds McConnell. McConnell's successful reelection bid in 2020 centered on how he helps his home state "punch above its weight" compared with heavy-hitters like California. McConnell made his statement a few days after his top deputy, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D. CNN contacted the 16 Senate Republicans up for reelection in 2022 on Thursday about whether they still back McConnell and just three responded. In a statement posted to Twitter, Thune said he is uniquely positioned to serve South Dakota and be a strong and effective senator who can deliver the results they expect.. That means Republicans merely need a net gain of one seat to retake the Senate in November's midterms to regain control of the chamber they lost a year ago when they were narrowly swept in Georgias twin Senate runoffs. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. ", Former President Trump speaks at a rally on Sept. 25, 2021, in Perry, Georgia. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost? Sen. John Thune of South Dakota says the eventual possibility of succeeding longtime Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell in steering Republicans in the chamber was "a factor" in his decision to run for reelection this year. Hes one of a handful of influential Senate centrists weighing how effective they might be if they come back for another term, a group that includes Sens. 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