Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso announced Tuesday that he will seek the No. 2 position in Republican Senate leadership in November, the role of Republican whip.
This role is currently held by Sen. John Thune (R.D.), who is expected to announce his candidacy for Republican leadership to replace retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has been done.
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Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) speaks after the Republican Policy Luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on March 28, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“This gives me time to reflect on how I can best serve the Republican Conference and our country,” Barrasso said in a statement. “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.”
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Barrasso made the decision to seek the No. 2 job amid speculation that he would throw himself into the ring for the leadership position.
Sen. John Barrasso speaks during a press conference after the weekly Republican Senate Policy Luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on September 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
As the race begins to take shape, the Wyoming Republican is seen as a possible leadership alternative to candidates aligned with Mr. McConnell.
“John Barrasso is certainly one of the leadership candidates who is very concerned about the direction of the broader conservative movement,” Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) said in a recent interview. punch bowl news. “But I don’t know if he actually wants to run.”
Sen. J.D. Vance speaks with reporters during a vote at the U.S. Capitol on February 12, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Mr. Vance, in particular, is often part of a faction of Republicans who oppose Mr. McConnell and his leadership decisions.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) is the only senator to formally announce his candidacy to replace Mr. McConnell.
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