Republicans elected Sen. John Thune of South Dakota to be the Senate majority chief on Wednesday.
Thune defeated Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida to switch Sen. Mitch McConnell as chief of the GOP caucus.
“I’m extraordinarily honored to have earned the help of my colleagues to guide the Senate,” Thune mentioned in a press release. “This Republican group is united behind President Trump’s agenda, and our work begins right this moment.”
Thune is McConnell’s present lieutenant, and Cornyn beforehand held that publish.
Republicans are set to carry the bulk within the Senate for the following two years, beginning in early January. Democrats at the moment maintain majority management of the chamber.
Democratic Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer of New York congratulated Thune on his victory: “I look ahead to working with him.”
President-elect Donald Trump didn’t endorse a candidate within the contest for majority chief, however has lengthy criticized McConnell, the Kentucky lawmaker who introduced earlier this yr he wouldn’t search to retain the management publish he has held for 18 years.
And a variety of Trump’s allies — Tesla CEO Elon Musk, conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — endorsed Scott.
Thune and Cornyn have beforehand criticized Trump.
Scott acquired the fewest votes of the three contenders and was eradicated within the first spherical of the closed-door poll, which came about within the U.S. Capitol’s Outdated Senate Chamber.
Thune defeated Cornyn within the second spherical, 29 to 24.
The vote got here every week after Republicans secured management of the chamber by gaining 4 seats in elections final week.
Democrats don’t plan to carry their management contests till early December.
