On Monday, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) said he is running to fill Mitch McConnell's role as Minority Leader.
Thune made the news official to a pair of South Dakota media outlets.
“Well, I hope to be [leader], and I'm going to do everything I can to convince my colleagues,” Thune told Sioux Falls, S.D.-based KELO-TV . “They're the voters. They're the ones who ultimately make the decision. But that as we look at a new generation of consistent, principled, conservative leadership in the United States Senate that empowers our Senate Republicans, that puts a check and balanced against the Schumer, what has been a very liberal Schumer-Biden agenda, I'm prepared to lead that effort.”
Thune also told Dakota News Now that he hopes to be a “difference-maker” moving forward as Republicans look to end their four-year stint in the minority of the upper chamber. He also said that he had his eye on the leadership post when he ran for reelection in 2022.
“I think we're ready for a new generation of consistent, principled, conservative leadership for Republicans in the United States Senate that empowers our individual members, gets back to dong things under regular order, which has gone by the wayside under the leadership of Chuck Schumer as he's been the majority leader,” he said. “I think this is a real opportunity. Any transition is a chance for a reset. In my view, this is a chance for a reset and I'd like to be a part of it.”
Thune's announcement comes days after Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) jumped into the race. The contest for the post is not likely to be held until after the general election in November. (RELATED: Sen. Cornyn Enters Ring To Become Next Senate Minority Leader)
Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) has also been floated as a potential third contender for the role but there is also a chance he could run for Republican whip.
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