Republicans elected Sen. John Thune of South Dakota to be the Senate majority chief on Wednesday.
Thune defeated Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida to exchange Sen. Mitch McConnell as chief of the GOP caucus.
“I’m extraordinarily honored to have earned the help of my colleagues to guide the Senate,” Thune stated in an announcement. “This Republican workforce is united behind President Trump’s agenda, and our work begins at the moment.”
Thune is McConnell’s present lieutenant, and Cornyn beforehand held that submit.
Republicans are set to carry the bulk within the Senate for the subsequent two years, beginning in early January. Democrats at present maintain majority management of the chamber.
Democratic Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer of New York congratulated Thune on his victory: “I stay up for working with him.”
President-elect Donald Trump didn’t endorse a candidate within the contest for majority chief, however has lengthy criticized McConnell, the Kentucky lawmaker who introduced earlier this 12 months he wouldn’t search to retain the management submit he has held for 18 years.
And a variety of Trump’s allies — Tesla CEO Elon Musk, conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — endorsed Scott.
Thune and Cornyn have beforehand criticized Trump.
Scott acquired the fewest votes of the three contenders and was eradicated within the first spherical of the closed-door poll, which befell within the U.S. Capitol’s Outdated Senate Chamber.
Thune defeated Cornyn within the second spherical, 29 to 24.
The vote got here per week after Republicans secured management of the chamber by gaining 4 seats in elections final week.
Democrats don’t plan to carry their management contests till early December.
