Thune Jokes About Flexibility in Campaign Support

FREMONT, Neb. — Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, often quips that he’ll adapt to whatever his candidates need to secure victories.

“I tell all of our candidates, I’ll support you or oppose you, whatever helps you the most,” he shared, speaking to Fox News Digital.

Thune’s lighthearted comment came ahead of a roundtable event in Nebraska with Senator Pete Ricketts, a Republican facing a competitive race against independent candidate Dan Osborn. This particular visit, set in a metal building surrounded by vast corn fields, was just one of many stops Thune has made this election cycle.

Since the Senate adjourned for campaign season last month, Thune has been active, visiting important states including Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Ohio. In contrast, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, has been relatively absent from the campaign trail.

Thune Makes Predictions for Republicans

While Thune is on the move, Schumer has turned to virtual events, with high-profile surrogates like former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris showing up in battleground states crucial for Democratic hopes of maintaining Senate control.

This week, Schumer participated in a virtual fundraiser for Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon, who is affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America and is campaigning against Republican Senator Ashley Moody.

Several candidates running in significant races—spanning from Michigan to Mississippi—appear to be distancing themselves from Schumer or openly stating they wouldn’t endorse him as leader of the Senate Democrats.

Candidates Hesitant to Support Schumer

One such candidate is Scott Colom, a district attorney in Mississippi running against Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. The Senate Majority PAC, which is closely tied to Schumer, has committed $1.2 million to advertising efforts in Mississippi, but Colom is not eager to welcome Schumer’s support.

When queried if he would back Schumer if he wins, Colom responded, “I don’t want to speculate on hypotheticals; I’m not sure what options will be available.” He noted, “I’d rather not have our party represented by two individuals from the same borough,” a reference to Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Colom further mentioned, “We need representatives who understand rural America. The lack of rural voices in Democratic leadership can create issues, as our values and vision often differ from those in New York.”

Others, like Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and Adam Hamilton in Kansas, have been more explicit about their unwillingness to support Schumer if they reach the Senate.

Republicans Capitalize on Democratic Division

Republicans are taking advantage of the growing divide between Schumer and candidates who could jeopardize his hopes for a Democratic-controlled Senate.

“Look at Republicans; there isn’t a single one running nationally who says, ‘If elected, I’ll vote against John Thune as leader,’” stated Senator Bernie Moreno, a Republican from Ohio. “Conversely, nearly every Democratic candidate is saying, ‘If elected, I will oppose Chuck Schumer.’”

He added, “This is a major concern for them; there’s a lot of frustration with Schumer.” 

As the race for control of the Senate remains uncertain, Thune is focusing his efforts on being present wherever he’s needed. “We’re getting out there—doing whatever we can to help,” he explained.

On the other side, Thune argued that the Democratic Party is grappling with its identity in this high-stakes election season.

Leftward Shift Concerns for Democrats

He suggested that the rise of socialism within the party presents challenges for Democratic leadership. “Both in the House and Senate, they need to figure out if that is truly reflective of our party,” he stated.

Thune warned that the strong leftward pull could prove detrimental in an environment that might otherwise benefit Democrats. “They’ve strayed so far left that they are out of touch with where the country stands,” he said. “And it’s likely to hurt them in what could have been a favorable election year.”