Senate Republicans are set to gather behind closed doors on Wednesday to choose their new leader, concluding a closely contested race that has highlighted divisions within the party. The three candidates vying for leadership include Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the current Republican whip; Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a former whip; and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, who is backed by high-profile allies of President-elect Donald Trump.
On Tuesday evening, Senate Republicans held a candidate forum after returning from a lengthy recess, with the secret ballot vote scheduled for Wednesday morning. Both incumbent and newly elected senators will cast their votes, but the outcome remains uncertain, as most senators have kept their preferences private. If no candidate secures a majority in the first round, a runoff will be held between the top two contenders.
The winner will assume the role of majority leader for the next two years, following the Republicans’ recent victory in securing control of the Senate. This leader will succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is stepping down after 18 years in the role, marking the end of his historic tenure as the longest-serving Senate leader.
Thune and Cornyn, seasoned senators who have risen through the ranks since the George W. Bush administration, represent the GOP’s institutional wing. Both bring extensive experience and longstanding relationships within the party, positioning themselves as natural successors to McConnell’s legacy. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-S.D.), a Thune supporter, noted the close alignment between Thune and Cornyn, though some colleagues view Thune as having an edge.
Scott, who was first elected in 2018 and recently won a second term, has been a vocal critic of McConnell and a prominent figure in the party’s MAGA wing. Endorsed by conservative figures like Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk, Scott has positioned himself as a candidate focused on advancing Trump’s agenda. However, despite Scott’s alignment with the MAGA movement, Trump has refrained from publicly endorsing him, likely due to the secret ballot’s confidentiality.
While all three candidates have committed to furthering Trump’s legislative goals, Thune and Cornyn emphasize their successful fundraising efforts and pledge to support Trump’s priorities. Thune, in an op-ed, expressed a commitment to a productive Senate partnership with Trump, focusing on swiftly confirming his nominees and advancing a shared legislative agenda. Cornyn, in his letter to GOP colleagues, emphasized a desire to “Make the Senate Work Again” by empowering committees, pushing for border security, reducing federal spending, and reversing Biden-Harris policies.
As part of a broader leadership shuffle, Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming is expected to become majority whip without opposition, while Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Joni Ernst of Iowa are locked in a close contest for the No. 3 position. The vote for leadership is expected to reflect both party unity and its competing visions for the future.