Republicans elected South Dakota Sen. John Thune As the next Senate majority leader, they complete a significant shift in their leadership that elevates a top surrogate. Mitch McConnell A key position as president-elect Donald Trump He’s returning to the White House.

Thune, 63, is entering his fourth term in the Senate and has vowed to work closely with Trump despite their differences over the years, which will be a key part of the next president’s efforts to advance his policy agenda.

Thune said in a statement that he was “extremely honored to have the support of my colleagues.”

“This Republican team is united behind President Trump’s agenda, and our work begins today,” he said.

Thune outlasted his other two rivals, the Sens. John Cornyn And Rick ScottBy gaining the support of a majority of GOP senators by secret ballot in two rounds of voting. Scott was eliminated in the first round and the final vote between Thune and Cornyn was 29-24, according to multiple people who asked to remain anonymous to discuss the private meeting.

He replaces McConnell, the longest-serving party leader in the Senate, as Republicans prepare to capture the majority of the Senate with the 53 seats they won in last week’s elections.

Much of the campaign focused on the candidates’ relationship with Trump. Thune sought to make amends after publicly breaking with Trump over his effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, which he called “inexcusable.”

In recent months, Thune reconnected with Trump, visiting him at his home in Florida, and the two consulted on how to implement the new president’s agenda. Thune he told the Associated Press He views their potential relationship over the summer as a professional relationship. If both win the election, Thune said, “We have a job to do.”

While making his defense, Thune made it clear that he would also listen to Trump’s demands. When Trump X posted this on Sunday The new leader must “accept” Thune, who wants to avoid confirmation votes and allow him to appoint Cabinet members and others while the Senate is in recess, said the Senate must act “quickly and decisively” to install nominees and that all options are on the table to make that happen. , including recess appointments.”

A well-liked and respected communicator, Thune was perceived as a leader for much of the year. Like McConnell, he comes from the more traditional wing of the Republican Party.

He is the former chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee and held the position of Republican whip — no. 2 in party leadership – since 2019. He took over for McConnell for several weeks last year while he was on medical leave; it was a move widely seen as an audition of sorts due to speculation surrounding McConnell’s future.

Thune’s victory is even more unusual because he was elected to the Senate in 2004, defeating then-Senate Majority Leader. Tom Daschle After arguing during the campaign that Daschle had lost his South Dakota roots during his years of Democratic leadership. Twenty years later, Thune will be the majority leader.

Thune spent much of the year campaigning for his colleagues as he prepared to run for leadership. He has raised more than $31 million to elect Senate Republicans this cycle, according to aides; This included a $4 million transfer from his own campaign accounts to the Senate’s main campaign arm.

The choice was a tough one for many at the conference who saw Thune and Cornyn as similar choices. They are similar on politics, generally voting in line with the conference but occasionally working with Democrats. Cornyn is a longtime member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. leading role in bipartisan gun legislation two years ago.

But the two disagreed over whether the leader’s term should be limited; This was the main demand of some on the conservative wing. While Cornyn pushed the boundaries, Thune did not.

Scott, the former governor of Florida, was elected to the Senate in 2018 and quickly positioned himself as a foil to McConnell, running against him for the leadership in 2022 and aligning himself with Utah Sen. mike lee and others who are highly critical of the current leadership.

While Thune and Cornyn courted their colleagues one by one all year long, Scott spent much of the year committed to his own re-election race. It’s easy loser Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell by more than 10 points.

Following his re-election last week, Scott aggressively stepped up his campaign for the GOP leadership, campaigning publicly as the closest candidate to Trump and gaining endorsements from people close to the former and future president, such as billionaires. Elon Musk. But some questioned whether this strategy would backfire.

Rounds said he preferred Thune and Cornyn to “handle this one-on-one with everyone,” but said he also talked to Scott. “We have three qualifiers,” he said before the race.