Thune gets backers in Senate GOP leadership race

Senate Minority Leader John Thune, R.S., has the support of at least two Republican colleagues as he discusses becoming the Senate’s next Republican leader.

Republican Sens. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma and Mike Rounds of South Dakota expressed support for Thune on Sunday during Sunday morning talk show appearances.

After Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced last week that he would step down from his longtime position in November, Thune is one of three “johns” considered to be leading candidates for Senate Republican leadership. One of them. He will remain in the Senate at least until the end of his term in 2027.

Other candidates include Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), the latter of whom first officially announced his candidacy last week. Thune told reporters last week that he was discussing the position with his fellow Republican senators.

Appearing on ABC News’ “This Week,” Lowndes said he believes Thune will bring “a breath of fresh air” and called him “the right person at the right time.”

“Great moral character. He’s the right type of guy. And I think he’s going to be independent enough that he’s going to care about the institution of the Senate itself as much as Mitch does. So I think I’m optimistic. That’s why I support him,” Lowndes said.

Regardless of who it is, Rounds urged McConnell’s successor to remain firm in the face of potential opposition and criticism from former President Trump. The tense relationship between Mr. McConnell and Mr. Trump is well known on Capitol Hill, and the Kentucky Republican has emerged as one of the few Republican senators to publicly stand up to the former president.

ABC News anchor Jonathan Karl noted on Sunday that Thune has been “in sharp conflict with Donald Trump.” Despite his criticism of the former president, Thune endorsed Trump last week, vowing to support whoever ends up being the Republican nominee.

“I think we’re going to continue to have great leadership. I feel like John Thune is kind of leading the race right now. He’s my stablemate here, also from South Dakota State. He’s solid. And he understands politics, too,” Lowndes said.

“Whoever the Republican nominee is, we’re going to support them and make sure that this event of actually building this economy again and winning over some of the people in this part of the world happens. They’re just angry and feel like we’re going to fix things, just like everyone would run away right now because of the cost of living and stuff like that,” he added.

Mullin said on CNN’s “State of the Union” that Thune “understands” the Republican Party and recognizes both the need for party unity and that Trump is likely to become the Republican presidential nominee. Ta.

“I’m very good friends with Sen. Thune. That’s why I’m rooting for him. That doesn’t mean I speak ill of any other candidate who might run. I know. [Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.)] He’s probably spreading his name around because he might be the one doing it. John Barrasso is a great guy. John Cornyn is a great guy,” Mullin said.

“I’ve only become better friends with Thune. And I’ve seen his leadership skills play out all over the place. Even when Mitch couldn’t come to the Capitol because of illness, Thune stepped up in a very effective way. And what I look for in any position that requires leadership is someone who can provide leadership during a very dangerous and critical time. ” he added.

Asked if President Trump might try to block Thune, Marin said, “I don’t know.”

“President Trump and I had a very good conversation last week. My advice to President Trump is that President Trump is his own man and he’s going to make his own decisions and do a good job in that regard.” , but don’t participate in the race because it’s a lose-or-lose situation,” Marin said. . “He … needs to work with whatever leader he has. And, let me tell you, he understands that whatever leader he has, he has to work with President Trump as well.”