(The Lion) — Senator John Thune, R-South Dakota, was elected to be the next Senate majority leader on Wednesday, eight days after Republicans won a 53-seat majority in the Senate.
Thune, the current Senate minority whip, will replace Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, who is the “longest serving Senate party leader,” the Associate Press reports.
“I am extremely honored to have earned the support of my colleagues,” Thune said in a statement, according to the AP. “This Republican team is united behind President Trump’s agenda, and our work starts today.”
Republicans made the selection by secret ballot on Wednesday in an election that began with three candidates: Thune, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas.
After one round, no candidate received enough votes to be elected, Fox News reports. Since Scott received the fewest votes, he was excluded from the second round, which saw Thune receive 29 votes and Cornyn 24, making Thune the winner.
Scott’s loss comes after he had received widespread support on social media, including from Elon Musk, as well as some other senators, including Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.
Some critics of Thune worry that his previous policy differences with Trump could affect their ability to work together. In recent months, the two have reportedly visited multiple times, including in Trump’s Florida home.
