And though Utah is a red state, its a Trump-skeptical one. Unlike McConnell, Scott has detailed plans to overhaul entitlement programs and has embraced extreme candidates endorsed by Donald Trump. The decision by Senate Minority Whip John Thune to run for reelection sets up an intricate shuffle among a trio of Republicans named John to succeed McConnell. U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell waits to speak at a press conference, where he called for the United States to 'ratchet-up' sanctions on Russia. Yet Murkowski points Romney down the path to running and winning as an anti-Trump Republican, for reasons beyond her backing from McConnell. But Noem dismissed any bid for Senate and is running for reelection as governor. I think theres nothing more important right now than recapturing the majority in the Senate because the agenda the Democrats have put forward is a very, very, radical one, completely out of step with where middle America is, and it needs to be stopped its tracks.". Sen. John Thune speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 7, 2021. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said the GOP is fortunate to have the three Johns to choose from. Two Trump-backed Senate candidates have said they won't support Mitch McConnell for majority leader, which has the potential to make a real difference. 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. I have not heard anybody say anything negative, he added. ", But he asked and answered his own question, saying, "Was his potential influence in my race a factor? Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) McConnell already demonstrated hes willing to defend an anti-Trump Republican against an intraparty challenge, spending millions of dollars this year through his aligned super PAC to reelect Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). Republican senators say none of McConnell's possible heirs apparent - neither Thune nor Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) 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. Sometimes in this current political environment, it can be a mixed blessing to have a member of the Republican leadership in the Senate come out in circumstances. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell joined at left by Minority Whip John Thune, speaks to reporters after a Republican strategy meeting at the Capitol in But as one Senate Republican put it, the potential competition between the two sets up a really difficult choice for the conference. The "America First" reference was not accidental: Tshibaka is backed by Donald Trump, who's repeatedly vowed to defeat Murkowski for failing to show him sufficient loyalty. But McConnell, who will turn 80 in February, made clear on Tuesday that he doesn't plan to step down from the Senate Republican leader's job anytime soon, despite Trump's pressure. The election filled the Class III Senate seat held by Rand Paul (R), who first took office in 2011. Voters in Kentucky elected one member to the U.S. Senate in the general election on November 8, 2022. Ive always promised that I would do the work, even when it was hard, uncomfortable, or unpopular, Thune said in the statement. 2 Senate Republican and a close ally of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), on Saturday announced he will run for McConnell has given no public indication that he intends to retire anytime soon, but in addition to Thune, Sens. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday said he's optimistic about the 2022 midterm elections for Republicans. That is something Id like to pursue, Cornyn said Tuesday of the Senate GOPs top spot. Mitt Romney said he needs to see how that feels in the coming months as he considers whether to test his brand of politics one more time. TWO REPUBLICANS JUMP INTO SENATE RACE IN KEY BATTLEGROUND OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything What Bidens FHA mortgage fee cut means for buyers. McConnell confirmed Tuesday hell seek to remain party leader after this falls midterms, no surprise given his goal of surpassing the late Sen. Mike Mansfields record for leadership longevity a year from now. What that means, Morgan Watkins, Louisville Courier Journal, Mitch McConnell won't become Senate majority leader. I dont own this job, McConnell said afterward. And timing could be everything: Thune is subject to the same six-year term limits as whip that rotated Cornyn out of the spot. The final vote was 37-10, with one Republican voting present.. The senator predicted that Trump's baseless challenge of the results in Congress would go down like "a shot dog." Hes not impulsive from anyway that I can tell, except on a basketball court, Cramer said of his fellow Dakotan. Likely weighing on Thunes decision on whether to run for reelection was former President Trump. 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. Just because McConnell can still lead filibusters of legislation doesn't mean he'll stymie everything. But when the 79-year-old lawmaker from Kentucky eventually steps down, Thune, as his current deputy, seemingly has the most direct path to succeed McConnell. Weather Forecast Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell gives a thumbs-up as he leaves a meeting with Senate Republicans at the Capitol on Nov. 16, 2022. Senate Democrats can keep approving President Joe Biden's nominees to the federal judiciary even without any Republican colleagues' support, for example, because those nominations can advance with just 51 votes. When McConnell lost the majority leadership, University of Kentucky political science professor Stephen Voss said that didn't put the commonwealth in danger of seeing a big drop in federal assistance. Breaking News ", Asked if anyone is jockeying behind the scenes for McConnell's job, Braun said, "there's none of that been exhibited that I've observed.". 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. CNN In August, Mitch McConnell told a hard truth . 2022 MIDTERMS: WILL A RED WAVE OVERCOME A BLUE WALL? McConnell has also been the target of Trumps wrath after voting for a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a proposal to allow Democrats to raise the debt ceiling by themselves with a simple majority vote. Leader McConnell has my full support and confidence. The decision by Senate Minority Whip John Thune to run for reelection sets up an intricate shuffle among a trio of Republicans named John to succeed McConnell. or redistributed. But theyare feeling increasingly confident about their chances of winning back the Senate, where they only need a net pickup of one seat to get the majority. CNN contacted the 16 Senate Republicans up for reelection in 2022 on Thursday about whether they still back McConnell and just three responded. The Washington Post found a handful of other GOP candidates including Rep. Mo Brooks, the Trump-backed candidate in Alabama who were noncommittal, refusing to say whether they'd back McConnell or not. Thune has poised himself to [move up] with the responsibilities that he has taken on as whip, and he has poised himself to do so with relationships with just about all of us in the conference, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). 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. and so what comes next? You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. 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. And, what can be accomplished?. Glenn Clary, the state party chairman, told CNN that some people are angry and upset and some people say she voted her conscience.. 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. Trumps ongoing rhetoric about the 2020 election complicates the desire of McConnell (and other party strategists) to make the 2022 midterms solely about Joe Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Under Scott, the NRSC took a hands-off approach to GOP primaries, embracing those candidates in the general election. In terms of his wrestling match with President Trump, thats an issue that I guess will sort itself out over time., Asked if anyone is jockeying behind the scenes for McConnells job, Braun said, theres none of that been exhibited that Ive observed.. The gender pay gap has stayed largely unchanged for 20 years. IE 11 is not supported. Sen. John Thune (S.D. Nov 16, 2022, 01:06 PM EST | Updated Nov 16, 2022. For now, two candidates announcing their opposition to the Senate GOP leader doesn't have much of an impact on the partisan landscape. Its also a boost to McConnell, who has seen a number ofhis closest alliesexitthe Senate in recent cycles. For months, Thune, 61, had said he was undecided about whether he would run for a fourth term. The South Dakota Republican, a likely successor to Republican leader Mitch McConnell, says he will run for reelection in 2022, putting an end to the speculation about Roy Blunt of Missouri, Rob Portman of Ohio, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Richard Burr of North Carolina and Richard Shelby of Alabama are opting to step down rather than run again in 2022. Even so, he may face opposition from his own party if he runs, with Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes the most prominent possibility. For instance, he backed two particularly notable bipartisan laws since 2021: The $1.2 trillionbipartisan infrastructure law, which is expected to sendat least $4.6 billion to Kentucky. HuffPost's top politics stories, straight to your inbox. Wow.. Among the many Republican senators who did not respond when asked whether they still support McConnell were his Kentucky colleague, Sen. Rand Paul, and Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, whos been sharply critical of the GOP leader in recent radio interviews following McConnells remarks on the Senate floor. Sen. John Thune questions U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai as she testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 12, 2021. Even out of office he has caused headaches for Senate GOP leadership by weighing into fights over the infrastructure bill and the debt ceiling. As whip, Thune has the clearest path to the job in the eyes of some Republicans until he is term-limited out of his job in 2025. Trump supported Murkowskis conservative challenger Kelly Tshibaka, but the incumbent stuck to the center amid her states new ranked-choice voting system and won by 7 points. Environmental justice investors: Its the demand-side, stupid! That gives McConnell and his team influence over what bills succeed and which ones fail. (AP Photo/J. They dont see what goes on behind the scenes, the organization, the planning, getting people to work together.. She estimated a leadership campaign wouldnt happen for probably five years from now., Nonetheless, the unofficial battle of the Johns is very real. Where Thune can be low-key, Cornyn brings a more pugnacious style that leads some other Republicans to see him as a natural successor to McConnell. Hopefully we get the majority back and at some point nobody knows when exactly that might be in the future there probably will be some opportunities. McConnell has long stressed electability as the most important trait for his candidates. NBC News reported late yesterday: A Republican running with former President Donald Trump's support to unseat Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said Monday that she would not vote for Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., for another term as the Senate's GOP leader. "When I defeat Murkowski and become Alaska's next U.S. senator, I will not support Mitch McConnell as leader," [Kelly Tshibaka said in a written statement]. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, But over the past year hes also found himself at odds with former President Trump because of the former presidents push for GOP lawmakers to try to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which Trump and some of his closest allies have falsely claimed was rigged or stolen., Thune warned that a long-shot effort to throw out the Electoral College results in Congress would go down like a shot dog.. But thats a decision Ill make., Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) arrives at the U.S. Capitol on April 25, 2022. Environmental justice investors: Its the demand-side, stupid! Reach reporter Morgan Watkins at mwatkins@courierjournal.com. 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 Conference's term-limit rules for leadership posts. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images. 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. 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. "As long as he is in the Senate, he's going to want to be the leader, in the minority or the majority," Braun said. Romneys ultimate decision on reelection will say far more about the state of the Republican Party than any other safe red seat. Those term limits, however, do not apply to the top leader. McConnell was elected to a seventh Senate term in 2020 by a nearly 20-point margin over Democrat Amy McGrath and won't be up for reelection until 2026. Anybody who wants to run for it can feel free to do so. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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.. McConnell confirmed on Tuesday that hell seek to remain GOP Senate leader after Novembers midterms. Thune and Cornyn are best-positioned to become the next Senate GOP leader but Barrasso is in the mix too. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images. Its a unique sort of a race because you know who the voters are, and its not really influenced by outside influences. His negotiating partner and friend Sinema raved over Romney as he makes up his mind: I do like Mitt Romney so much. ), ended months of speculation by announcing over the weekend that he would run for a fourth Senate term. Kristi Noem, a close ally of the former president, to launch a primary challenge against Thune. Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Wednesday easily won reelection as Senate GOP leader, fending off a But before he starts preparing to change offices, it's worth noting that some of the Republicans running for the Senate next year say they have no intention of supporting McConnell in 2023. Some senators think McConnells set to stay around as leader until the end of his Senate career, regardless of Trumps relentless attacks on him and calls for new leadership. That makes Romneys path to reelection easier than some other Trump critics who bowed out of electoral politics rather than face voters again. But it's not as if Barack Obama was actively involved in a campaign to destroy Schumer. 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. And I think his running for reelection would be very important, McConnell said. I think theres probably a greater likelihood the House flips than the Senate, the Senate minority leader said at Watch live: Biden delivers remarks on Secretary of Labor nominee Julie Su, Schumer, Jeffries ask Murdoch to stop Fox hosts lying about 2020 election, Republicans vow to block Biden FAA pick as Democrats double down, Christie: Trump grand jury foreperson did a lot of damage to case, McCarthy, GOP pump brakes on release of Jan. 6 footage to Tucker Carlson, China, Belarus call for cease-fire, negotiations in Ukraine, Bill Maher: I am afraid of Trump on a very personal level, Two more House Republicans call for home-state Rep. Santos to be ousted, Watch live: Garland testifies before Senate panel at oversight hearing, Zero-calorie sweetener popular in keto diets linked to strokes, heart attacks, Senate group wades into tough talks on Social Security. "In terms of his wrestling match with President Trump, that's an issue that I guess will sort itself out over time. Hes a deliberate person. Asked if hell be crisscrossing the country this year, helping fellow Republicans in Senate elections, Thune said "if its helpful. Follow her on Twitter: @morganwatkins26. Im pretty proud of 37 to 10, he added. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. It shows his strength, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), who voted for McConnell, said of Wednesdays election. But despite Trumps previous anger, Thune appears likely to win reelection and has $14,839,846.75 cash on hand in his campaign account as of the last fundraising quarter. ), who backed Scott, gave McConnell credit for acknowledging the concerns raised about his leadership style. He likes winners and John Thune is a winner, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) told The New York Times. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Monaco also spoke on the FBIs mishandling of the Olympic gymnast sexual abuse case and threats against school board officials and educators. 2 Senate Republican leader. Cornyns power base stems from his time as whip and party committee chair in 2010 and 2012 as well as his continued fundraising prowess for the party and handy reelection win in 2020 after Democrats tried to make Texas a battleground state. And it frightened independent and moderate Republican voters, McConnell said of the midterm election losses on Tuesday. Its really more of a matter of relationships and trust.. Thune, who as minority whip is the No. 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. Sort itself out over time Cramer said of his fellow Dakotan her backing from McConnell Romney as makes... Sen. Mitt Romney so much data provided by Refinitiv Lipper a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.! Huffpost 's top politics stories, straight to your inbox optimistic about the 2022 midterm for! 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