Senate Minority Whip John Thune of South Dakota was endorsed to become the chamber’s next Republican leader on Sunday by two of his colleagues.
Sens. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma and Mike Rounds of South Dakota threw their support behind Mr. Thune, who currently serves as the second-ranking Republican to outgoing Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell.
Mr. Rounds said on ABC’s “This Week” that Mr. Thune will bring a “fresh breath” and has “great moral character.”
“I think he will be independent enough to where he will look out, just like Mitch did, for the institution of the Senate itself,” he said.
Mr. Mullin said on CNN’s “State of the Union” that Mr. Thune “understands” the party.
“Even when Mitch was unable to be at the Capitol because of some illnesses, I saw Thune step up in a very effective manner,” he said. “What I look for … is someone that can lead in very dangerous and critical times.”
Mr. McConnell will retire from his post after 17 years in November, but will serve the remainder of his term that runs until January 2027.
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas is also running to be the next Republican leader, and other potential contenders include Sens. John Barrasso of Wyoming, who chairs the Senate Republican Conference, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Rick Scott of Florida.
• Ramsey Touchberry can be reached at rtouchberry@washingtontimes.com.
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