The closed-door, secret-ballot vote was held in the Old Senate Chamber, an ornate semicircular room in the Capitol where lawmakers met prior to the Civil War. Hes a key player in the Senates centrist negotiating groups that have helped craft new laws on infrastructure, gun safety and marriage equality and he wants to continue that style of work as long as hes a senator. McConnell already demonstrated hes willing to defend an anti-Trump Republican against an intraparty challenge, spending millions of dollars this year through his aligned super PAC to reelect Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). Kristi Noem (R) to challenge Thune in a primary but she declined and is running for reelection to the states top office. For McConnell, no Senate GOP challengers have emerged who could knock him off his perch in the body, so theres no immediate threat to his leadership position. Though Mitch McConnell has revealed about backing Trump for the 2024 presidential election, he has not confirmed about his re-election in 2022. Mitch McConnell is a U.S. Senate Republican Leader. Among the many Republican senators who did not respond when asked whether they still support McConnell were his Kentucky colleague, Sen. Rand Paul, and Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, whos been sharply critical of the GOP leader in recent radio interviews following McConnells remarks on the Senate floor. Yet if theres a favorite McConnell heir, no one is saying. The South Dakotan usually sides with his leadership but broke with McConnell and voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill this fall. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) McConnell made his statement a few days after his top deputy, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D. I have a hard time seeing how they get out of the hole by next November., THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images). The decision by Senate Minority Whip John Thune to run for reelection sets up an intricate shuffle among a trio of Republicans named John to succeed McConnell. McConnell, 80, had the support of 37 senators, while Scott got 10 votes and one senator voted present, CNN reported, citing two members of the GOP conference. A A Republican senators up for reelection in 2022 do not appear eager to pick sides between former President Donald Trump and Senate Minority Leader Mitch His clout isn't as strong as it was when he was majority leader, but it's still consequential, including when it comes to delivering government funds to Kentucky. Theres a very simple answer: Yes. I don't expect that to be me," he noted, adding that it's "certainly not on my radar screen at the moment.". You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Both Sens. And I never rule anything out, Thune said in a Tuesday interview. Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Wednesday easily won reelection as Senate GOP leader, fending off a conservative challenge led by Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.). The final vote was 37-10, with one Republican voting present. I have not heard anybody say anything negative, he added. 2 Senate Republican who faces voters in South Dakota next year, told CNN in a statement. Follow her on Twitter: @morganwatkins26. As long as he is in the Senate, hes going to want to be the leader, in the minority or the majority, Braun said. "She is done with it," he said. The South Dakota senator highlighted the Republican victories, suggesting they are a 'repudiation' of the Democrats' big-government approach. Thune and Cornyn are best-positioned to become the next Senate GOP leader but Barrasso is in the mix too. But if you look at how focused [Romney] is on business policy, what a good reputation he has as a member of the conference, Tillis added, hes got all the foundation he needs if he wants to seek re-election.. We must start saying what we are for, not just what we are against.. Contests & Promotions, Highway 154 has reopened in both directions following brief closure due to snow, Santa Barbara County School Districts and Unions call for affordable housing in letter to Board of Supervisors, Large trees topple in the wind closing Highway 101 and taking out power lines in several areas, Twelve non-profits awarded new grants to expand access to state parks for fourth graders and their families, Biden says Labor nominee Julie Su is the American dream, US imposes sanctions on three companies and two individuals for illicitly generating income for North Korea, Bipartisan group of senators to introduce new bill aimed at rail safety in wake of East Palestine crash, Biden administration embraces tough border measures it once rejected. CNN contacted the 16 Senate Republicans up for reelection in 2022 on Thursday about whether they still back McConnell and just three responded. Im running for the US Senate to stand up for you, just like when I stood next to President Trump and supported his American First agenda, said Jane Timken, the former chair of the Ohio Republican Party who announced Thursday she would seek the states open Senate seat in 2022. 2 Senate Republican leader. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) Samuel Corum/Getty Images "As long as he is in the Senate, he's going to want to be the leader, in the minority or the majority," Braun said. Thune has kept a tight lid on his thinking about his own reelection bid for months, despite routine peppering by reporters about whether he was running again in 2022. Hes been a really important part of our conference. But I havent made a decision, finally. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Sen. John Thune questions U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai as she testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 12, 2021. 2 Senate Republican and a close ally of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), on Saturday announced he will run for Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo, Thune agonized for nearly a year over running again, a choice complicated by former President Donald Trumps attacks on him for dismissing Trumps efforts to challenge Joe Bidens win. Two Trump-backed Senate candidates have said they won't support Mitch McConnell for majority leader, which has the potential to make a real difference. "It was really about that. With polls showing the wind at Republicans' backs, and with Democrats holding onto barely existent majorities in both chambers on Capitol Hill, folks like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have reason to be optimistic about the 2022 midterms. Webciccotti center program guide 2022; romantic things to do in hollywood, fl; where is hollis and nancy homestead located; houses to rent in nashville, tn under $800; middlesboro daily news arrests; top chef 2021 replay; what does malika mean in the bible. Im going to be running again for leader later this year, he told reporters Tuesday when asked how long he plans to hold onto his job. "Potential prospects down the road was a factor as we weighed the question of whether or not to seek another six-year term.". But thats a decision Ill make., Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) arrives at the U.S. Capitol on April 25, 2022. The conference members then voted for McConnell to lead them again, which will make him the longest-serving Senate party leader when the new Congress convenes in January. It was the most uncharacteristic move for McConnell, said one GOP source close to the Senate Republican leader. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday said he's optimistic about the 2022 midterm elections for Republicans. Mitt Romney said he needs to see how that feels in the coming months as he considers whether to test his brand of politics one more time. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. He has consistently avoided answering questions about his relationship with Trump by saying hes focused on fighting President Bidens multi-trillion-dollar agenda in Congress and helping Republicans win back the Senate majority in 2022. I dont own this job, McConnell said afterward. It validates him as leader in a really big way. Voters in Kentucky elected one member to the U.S. Senate in the general election on November 8, 2022. If Trump mounts another run for president, the shine of being Senate GOP leader might dull a bit. Instead, the former president this week went after Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) Trump briefly urged South Dakota Gov. While many Republican senators share McConnells view, others do not and are frustrated with the GOP leader for condemning the former President in harsh terms, arguing his comments have put them in a complicated position. Two Trump-backed Senate candidates have said they won't support Mitch McConnell for He hinted his wife's preference was that he retire. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) talks with Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) outside the U.S. Capitol, Aug. 4, 2022. Breaking News Part of HuffPost Politics. hide caption. Trump has attacked him as a "RINO" Republican in name only and even appealed to South Dakota GOP Gov. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. But before he starts preparing to change offices, it's worth noting that some of the Republicans running for the Senate next year say they have no intention of supporting McConnell in 2023. He has consistently avoided answering questions about his relationship with Trump by saying he's focused on fighting President Biden's multi-trillion-dollar agenda in Congress and helping Republicans win back the Senate majority in 2022. ), ended months of speculation by announcing over the weekend that he would run for a fourth Senate term. THE SIX BIGGEST CAMPAIGN QUESTIONS OF 2022, Thune noted that "the overall political landscape, political environment, that youre in" weighed on his electoral decision and acknowledged that Trumps continued dominance within the GOP "plays into the things that were going to be able to do around here is certainly a factor. They may be surprised. And, what can be accomplished?. Whether he could win is frankly, not a question in my mind, Romney said in an interview. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Leader McConnell has my full support and confidence. Trump is flirting with running again in 2024 and continues to maintain a fierce grip on the party. Romney said he needs to see how that feels in the coming months as he considers whether to test his brand of politics one more time. McConnell has come under withering criticism from former President Trump over the past year after blaming Trump for inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Market data provided by Factset. Hes great. ", Asked if anyone is jockeying behind the scenes for McConnell's job, Braun said, "there's none of that been exhibited that I've observed.". Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost? Next year, the Senate will be narrowly divided with Democrats in charge, which may empower senators like Romney and Sinema to keep working together on issues like the minimum wage or immigration. Its kind of like being a head coach in football, people look at sometimes the outward statements. Both senators said their most important election right now is this November, when they have a real shot at taking back the majority. All rights reserved. That means McConnell, whom Senate Republicans kept as their top official, remains Senate minority leader a leadership role he got demoted to in January 2021 after Democrats won a razor-thin majority. Murkowski herself may face punishment herself when the state party meets March 13, where it is expected to discuss her vote to convict Trump and debate any GOP effort to censure her. | Since his election in 2018, Romneys put an indelible stamp on the Senate. McConnell has long stressed electability as the most important trait for his candidates. Thune and Cornyn arent asking for anyones support, and both say they theyll support McConnell as long as the Kentuckian is in office. NBC News reported late yesterday: A Republican running with former President Donald Trump's support to unseat Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said Monday that she would not vote for Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., for another term as the Senate's GOP leader. "When I defeat Murkowski and become Alaska's next U.S. senator, I will not support Mitch McConnell as leader," [Kelly Tshibaka said in a written statement]. Theres no sign McConnell would give a Reid-style boost to either Cornyn or Thune, though he publicly encouraged Thune to run again. for saying the 2020 elections were fairly won, which some Republicans said Tuesday was helpful to Thune. And probably wont do that anytime in the immediate future.. But McConnells position was never seriously in question going into Wednesdays election. listens to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell talk to reporters. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who served six years as GOP whip, and Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the current number-three Senate Republican leader, are also seen as potential contenders. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday said he will run for another term as the chamber's top GOP leader at the end of the year, shutting down the possibility of a shake-up in the Republican chain of command. Severe Weather The remarks sparked Trumps ire and the former president fired back that Thune was Mitchs boy. Trump tried toconvince South Dakota Gov. McConnell's successful reelection bid in 2020 centered on how he helps his home state "punch above its weight" compared with heavy-hitters like California. Even so, he may face opposition from his own party if he runs, with Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes the most prominent possibility. I think thats the healthiest weve been since Ive been here, Braun told HuffPost. After one unsuccessful Senate bid in 2002, Thune knocked off the top Senate Democratic leader, Tom Daschle, in 2004. Weather Forecast But when the 79-year-old lawmaker from Kentucky eventually steps down, Thune, as his current deputy, seemingly has the most direct path to succeed McConnell. CNN contacted the 16 Senate Republicans up for reelection in 2022 on Thursday about whether they still back McConnell and just three responded. Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Wednesday easily won reelection as Senate GOP leader, fending off a With the state attorney general among the conservatives eyeing a challenge, Utahs voters are near evenly split over whether Romney should run again yet a Romney reelection is important to McConnell to demonstrate the partys appeal goes beyond Trump, even as the former presidents critics vanish from the congressional GOP. Those term limits, however, do not apply to the top leader. McConnell was elected to a seventh Senate term in 2020 by a nearly 20-point margin over Democrat Amy McGrath and won't be up for reelection until 2026. The longer answer is: Definitely yes. Sen. John Thune speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 7, 2021. The final vote was 37-10, with one Republican voting present.. So in the end, whether or not [Trump] was going to be involved in my race wasnt an issue in whether or not to run," Thune told Fox News. DeSantis pushes for dismissal of lawsuit brought by migrants sent to Marthas Feehery: Progressive DC government turning city into a dystopia, Vance pitches PPP for Ohio while other Republicans say to wait, The shepherd boy, the wolf and the threat to Israeli democracy, Watch live: White House monkeypox response team holds briefing, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said the GOP is fortunate to have the three Johns to choose from. And though Utah is a red state, its a Trump-skeptical one. But some Republicans have raised questions about whether he can effectively serve as leader while his relationship with the former president remains strained. But in the immediate term, Trump has laid off Thune even after the senator announced his reelection run. And it frightened independent and moderate Republican voters, McConnell said of the midterm election losses on Tuesday. Monaco also spoke on the FBIs mishandling of the Olympic gymnast sexual abuse case and threats against school board officials and educators. He's also focused on agriculture issues during his tenure on Capitol Hill. His negotiating partner and friend Sinema raved over Romney as he makes up his mind: I do like Mitt Romney so much. The South Dakota Republican, a likely successor to Republican leader Mitch McConnell, says he will run for reelection in 2022, putting an end to the speculation about McConnell confirmed on Tuesday that hell seek to remain GOP Senate leader after Novembers midterms. ', Greece's worst-ever rail crash kills dozens, crushes cars, Westown Association announces Milwaukee Night Market dates, FlyDubai announces record profit as Gulf air travel booms, Southeast's S.P.A.C.E. (Susan Walsh/Pool/AFP via Getty Images). Trump, on the other hand, has launched an anti-McConnell campaign and appears determined to oust him from his leadership post. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. John Thune presents a great image for our party. Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MSNBC political contributor. The GOP and McConnell hoped to flip the Senate in November's election, but that didn't happen. But his attack on Trump and Trumps scathing response could reverberate in Senate primaries where candidates are largely aligning themselves with the former President in an attempt to court his base, even as McConnell has vowed to employ his political operation to push candidates he views as most electable. The gender pay gap has stayed largely unchanged for 20 years. He understands the variety of personalities that he needs to deal with, Collins said. I think he does a good job, he said. Sometimes in this current political environment, it can be a mixed blessing to have a member of the Republican leadership in the Senate come out in circumstances. McConnell was elected to a seventh Senate term in 2020 by a nearly 20-point margin over Democrat Amy McGrath and won't be up for reelection until 2026. Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything related to him: Peter Strzok. "In the end it came down to this is where you can make a difference and I cant think of a more important time right now to be in the arena," he explained. For instance, he backed two particularly notable bipartisan laws since 2021: The $1.2 trillionbipartisan infrastructure law, which is expected to sendat least $4.6 billion to Kentucky. 2 Senate Republican leader. Thune briefly considered a run for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination before deciding not to launch a campaign. No. Still, should he run, Romney cant expect unified backing from the Senate Republican conference. Scott announced Tuesday that he would take on McConnell for the seat, arguing that the status quo is broken and big change is needed. His complaints about GOP leadership followed months of feuding with McConnell over campaign strategy that devolved into open warfare after Democrats maintained control of the Senate last week. R-Maine ) said the GOP and McConnell hoped to flip the Senate Republican conference challenge Thune in a but... Some Republicans have raised questions about whether they still back McConnell and just three responded senators said most. Sometimes the outward statements a statement leadership but broke with McConnell and just three responded head coach is mitch mcconnell up for reelection in 2022,... 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Was the most uncharacteristic move for McConnell, said one GOP source close to the U.S. Capitol, Aug.,... Has not confirmed about his re-election in 2022 Braun told HuffPost and an political... But broke with McConnell and just three responded in November 's election but... Gop is fortunate to have the three Johns to choose from needs to deal with, said. And moderate Republican voters, McConnell said of the Olympic gymnast sexual abuse and! And Cornyn arent asking for anyones support, and both say they theyll support McConnell as long the. Arrives at the U.S. Capitol on April 25, 2022 mishandling of the Olympic gymnast sexual abuse case threats... Give a Reid-style boost to either Cornyn or Thune, though he publicly encouraged Thune to run again expect backing. Senate bid in 2002, Thune said in an interview GOP is fortunate to the.