Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) plans to run for the Republican Senate seat, a step up from his current position as conference president.
“I now have time to reflect on how I can best serve the Republican Conference and our country,” Barrasso said in a statement Tuesday. “After much consideration, I will seek the support of my colleagues and ask them to work for me as an assistant to the Republican leadership.”
Barrasso’s decision ends speculation that he is targeting Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for the top spot in the Senate Republican conference. The Kentucky native has led the conference for nearly two decades as the Republican Party evolved toward conservative populism, something McConnell was never used to and in many ways despised.
The current leader of the Republican Party, Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota), has announced his candidacy for leadership. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), the third of the “Three Johns” long considered the frontrunner to eventually replace Mr. McConnell, is also running for party leadership.
Barrasso is considered the most conservative of the trio.
In the House of Lords, the whip plays an important messaging role as the leader’s deputy and serves as a liaison between the leader and rank-and-file members.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) announced he would seek Barrasso’s seat as conference chairman. This role supports senators and their staff with a wide range of services, primarily communications.
Mr. McConnell has said he does not intend to resign until after the election, at which point Republican senators and the Senate-elect will vote by secret ballot to elect a new leader to take office in the new Congress.
But the same pressure from conservatives that forced McConnell to retire from his dream job could now force him out before he announces his resignation.
The leadership candidates won’t be finalized until closer to the election, but Thune and especially Cornyn are asking their colleagues to pledge their support later this year. The field of negative votes likely won’t solidify until the top spot is decided.
Bradley Jay is Breitbart News’ Capitol Hill correspondent. Follow him on X/Twitter. @BradleyAJay.
