Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has endorsed Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as the Senate's Republican leader.
“I will be voting for my Florida colleague @ScottforFlorida to be the next Senate Republican leader,” Rubio posted. on social platform.
The race is between Scott, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.), and Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), who served as Senate Republican Whip during President-elect Trump's first two years in the White House. ) will be disputed.
Mr. Scott's candidacy to replace the outgoing Senate majority leader had been seen as a distant goal, but in recent days there has been renewed interest in Mr. Trump's support after his victory boosted the Republican Party's chances in the Senate. It is gaining momentum among the department's allies.
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) supported Scott's selection as Republican leader in a post Saturday, saying, “This new majority leader will work with President Trump to implement an America First policy. We must be able to move forward.” ”
Thune encouraged the president-elect to stay out of the leadership race and avoid putting his thumb on the scale in any direction.
Before the election, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Steve Daines of Montena told colleagues he would support Thune in the race to replace McConnell, according to people familiar with private conversations. But his official spokesperson said the senator would have more to say after the election.
“I've known John Thune since the 1980s,” Sen. Mike Rounds, R.S., said Sunday in an interview with NewsNation's Chris Stilwald on “The Hill Sunday.” He will be a great leader,” he said, expressing support for Thune. ”
“But the good thing for Republicans is that they have three really good people competing for the top spot as majority leader, so while I can't say anything bad about the other two candidates, I “I think there's a real winner in John Thune,” Lowndes added.
