McConnell made his statement a few days after his top deputy, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D. Mitch McConnell wont become Senate majority leader again. What that means for his power Mitch McConnell wont become Senate majority leader again. What that means for his power U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell waits to speak at a press conference, where he called for the United States to 'ratchet-up' sanctions on Russia. Feb. 24, 2022 I don't expect that to be me," he noted, adding that it's "certainly not on my radar screen at the moment.". Thune is allowed to serve two more years as the Republican whip before he will be required to step down from the post at the end of 2024 because of the Senate Republican Conference's term-limit rules for leadership posts. for saying the 2020 elections were fairly won, which some Republicans said Tuesday was helpful to Thune. People respect his intelligence, his assessment of the era we find ourselves in. Unlike the other three, however, Romneys biggest threat is more likely to come in a primary than in the general election. The primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost. Romney stayed neutral during his colleague Sen. Mike Lees (R-Utah) reelection campaign, as his friend Evan McMullin ran against Lee as an independent. Its like, what should I do in the time I have left? She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. And I think his running for reelection would be very important, McConnell said. 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. His` larger ambitions aside, the Florida Republican just oversaw a series of humiliating Senate GOP defeats in the midterm elections, with candidate quality being a serious problem. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota says the eventual possibility of succeeding longtime Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell in steering Republicans in the chamber was "a factor" in his decision to run for reelection this year. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. The great thing for us is, you have a couple of really exceptional individuals that can step up if McConnell decides to step out.. Senate Democrats can keep approving President Joe Biden's nominees to the federal judiciary even without any Republican colleagues' support, for example, because those nominations can advance with just 51 votes. 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. 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. Cornyn said Thune is a very important part of our conference and has a lot to offer, while underscoring that a reelection run is a separate question than who succeeds McConnell. 2022 MIDTERMS: WILL A RED WAVE OVERCOME A BLUE WALL? Since his election in 2018, Romneys put an indelible stamp on the Senate. Reach reporter Morgan Watkins at mwatkins@courierjournal.com. Heres how. Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy won't seek reelection next year, House retirement tracker: Senior Democrats exit as the GOP is confident of a takeover. 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. That work continues, which is why after careful consideration and prayer, and with the support of my family, Im asking South Dakotans for the opportunity to continue serving them in the U.S. Senate.. But as one Senate Republican put it, the potential competition between the two sets up a really difficult choice for the conference. Samuel Corum/Getty Images ", But he stressed that "I want to help the team. News Channel 3-12 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. The senator predicted that Trump's baseless challenge of the results in Congress would go down like "a shot dog." CNN In August, Mitch McConnell told a hard truth . McConnell said in an interview that hes absolutely willing to do the same for Romney, and is pushing his colleague for another bid. Former President Trump speaks at a rally on Sept. 25, 2021, in Perry, Georgia. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. I think he does a good job, he said. "I think he does a good job," he said. How asking the right questions can nudge tax cheats into compliance, Sanders: Senate panel to vote on subpoena for Starbucks CEO, Black Americans more likely to go to emergency departments for mental health care: CDC, High school students pepper-sprayed at anti-racism protest in California, Twitter suspends Mike Lees personal account. Glenn Clary, the state party chairman, told CNN that some people are angry and upset and some people say she voted her conscience.. 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. Its important for the Republican Party and the country that he runs again., The first-term senator said that hes beginning to do everything necessary to set up another run, such as making sure I have the right people, fundraising and talking to voters. Thanks to the filibuster a 60-vote threshold senators must meet to advance most bills Democrats need support from several Republicans, at least, to pass plenty of proposals. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images. 2 Senate Republican leader. "That work continues, which is why after careful consideration and prayer, and with the support of my family, I'm asking South Dakotans for the opportunity to continue serving them in the U.S. It was unclear what the outcome of the Nov. 8 election would mean for control of the Senate for several days as the vote tallies of close races across the country were counted. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), a Trump ally and former college football coach, said McConnells doing a good job, shrugging off the former presidents scathing criticism of the leader. McConnell is poised to become the Senates longest-serving leader when the new Congress convenes next year. Then senator said, "I never rule anything out" but quickly added that "it's not something at this point that I aspire to. Nov 16, 2022, 01:06 PM EST | Updated Nov 16, 2022. 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. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) 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. Trump supported Murkowskis conservative challenger Kelly Tshibaka, but the incumbent stuck to the center amid her states new ranked-choice voting system and won by 7 points. John Thune presents a great image for our party. The South Dakota senator highlighted the Republican victories, suggesting they are a 'repudiation' of the Democrats' big-government approach. Thune earned Trumps ire a year ago for publicly dismissing his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. But he caught flack from former President Donald Trump after the 2020 election. Follow her on Twitter: @morganwatkins26. CNN contacted the 16 Senate Republicans up for reelection in 2022 on Thursday about whether they still back McConnell and just three responded. That makes Romneys path to reelection easier than some other Trump critics who bowed out of electoral politics rather than face voters again. He was elected to the House in 1996 and served three terms there. President Trump is well liked up here, Clary said. Then he cut a series of bipartisan deals that upset the right. Two Trump-backed Senate candidates have said they won't support Mitch McConnell for McConnell says he will do everything possible to ensure Romney succeeds. When he had that job from January 2015 through January 2021, McConnell used that power to block bills. ", But he asked and answered his own question, saying, "Was his potential influence in my race a factor? You know, Im 75, Romney said. He listened and was receptive to the folks that he knows probably voted against him. Im really pleasantly surprised that this was not a lot of sitting around and wringing hands. But in the immediate term, Trump has laid off Thune even after the senator announced his reelection run. Theres a very simple answer: Yes. Sen. John Thune speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 7, 2021. 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. 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. I look forward to earning the support of all South Dakotans in the 2022 election for Senate, he continued. SENATE REPUBLICAN REELECTION ARM HAULS IN A RECORD $104 MILLION LAST YEAR McConnell confirmed on Tuesday that hell seek to remain GOP Senate leader after Novembers midterms. They may be surprised. Theres Thune the South Dakotan, McConnells current deputy, as well as former whip John Cornyn of Texas, the two favorites to succeed the GOP leader. He's also focused on agriculture issues during his tenure on Capitol Hill. Thune declined to describe himself as the favorite despite his comfy spot in leadership: Id hate to say that. ), ended months of speculation by announcing over the weekend that he would run for a fourth Senate term. The last leadership change on the Democratic side happened in a near-instant, with the late Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announcing his retirement and immediately endorsing Sen. Chuck Schumer to succeed him. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. Could a White House race be in his political future? "I have not heard anybody say anything negative," he added. Scott, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which oversees the Senate GOPs campaigns, argued in a letter to colleagues that they need to start being far more bold and resolute than we have been in the past. 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. Eric Greitens, another Republican Senate hopeful in 2022, also said a few months ago that he wouldn't support McConnell, either. I have not heard anybody say anything negative, he added. She estimated a leadership campaign wouldnt happen for probably five years from now., Nonetheless, the unofficial battle of the Johns is very real. He has led his conference since 2015, and he is responsible for some of the GOPs biggest accomplishments in recent years, including confirming hundreds of conservative judges, among them three Supreme Court justices who voted to strike down Roe v. Wade earlier this year. 2 Senate GOP leader and likely successor to Republican leader Mitch McConnell, has announced he will run for reelection in 2022, putting an end to the speculation about the South Dakota senator's political future. Weather Forecast Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell won't get his old job as Senate majority leader back in January after voters decided to let Democrats keep control of Congress' upper chamber. Tuberville said he thinks McConnell as compiled a good record over the past year and doesnt know of anyone looking to usurp his leadership. ", "There's going to be somebody like that. Thune briefly considered a run for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination before deciding not to launch a campaign. The gender pay gap has stayed largely unchanged for 20 years. Trump is flirting with running again in 2024 and continues to maintain a fierce grip on the party. Im pretty proud of 37 to 10, he added. Senate Republicans, who are close allies of the former president, urged Thune to run and not to worry about a Trump-field primary challenge. ), ended months of speculation by announcing over the weekend that he would run for a fourth Senate term. The election filled the Class III Senate seat held by Rand Paul (R), who first took office in 2011. In fact, McConnell noted in a January 2021 interview that he'd "still be one of the Big Four," saying: "When you end up in a big negotiation at the end of the year, each of the four of us have a veto power over what goes in and what doesn't.". With Trump warning he will push primary candidates who fit his mold in 2022 Senate races, many Republican senators facing voters next year are not eager to pick sides following the former Presidents blistering attack on the GOP leader after his impeachment trial. Roy Blunt of Missouri, Rob Portman of Ohio, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Richard Burr of North Carolina and Richard Shelby of Alabama are opting to step down rather than run again in 2022. 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. 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. That gives McConnell and his team influence over what bills succeed and which ones fail. Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Wednesday easily won reelection as Senate GOP leader, fending off a Sen. John Thune touts GOP victories as 'response to the Biden agenda', New Orleans mayor recall organizers score deal that could lower signature requirement, Jeffries warns against 'xenophobic activity' from 'MAGA Republicans' as House China Select Committee kicks off, Sen. Mike Lee suspended by Twitter, 'seeking answers', Massachusetts Gov. Lee is expected to remain similarly neutral in a primary if Romney runs again, according to a person familiar with his plans. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said the GOP is fortunate to have the three Johns to choose from. Just because McConnell can still lead filibusters of legislation doesn't mean he'll stymie everything. Even so, he may face opposition from his own party if he runs, with Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes the most prominent possibility. Monaco also spoke on the FBIs mishandling of the Olympic gymnast sexual abuse case and threats against school board officials and educators. Its also a boost to McConnell, who has seen a number ofhis closest alliesexitthe Senate in recent cycles. For months, Thune, 61, had said he was undecided about whether he would run for a fourth term. and so what comes next? But some Republicans have raised questions about whether he can effectively serve as leader while his relationship with the former president remains strained. or redistributed. Thunes decision,which he had held off announcing after going past his end-of-year timeline, will likely bring a sigh of relief to Senate Republicans, who had grown increasingly alarmed that the 61-year-old senator would retire after 2022. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) questions U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco as she testifies on renewing and strengthening the Violence Against Women Act during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on October 05, 2021 in Washington, DC. But that doesnt mean theyll get the sort of traction they did with Democratic majorities in Congress that generally facilitated centrists work, while usually just a minority of Senate Republicans voted for any bipartisan deals. McConnell had lobbied his second-in-command to run for reelection in the solidly red state where Thune enjoys broad support. If Trump mounts another run for president, the shine of being Senate GOP leader might dull a bit. Trump briefly urged South Dakota Gov. (Susan Walsh/Pool/AFP via Getty Images). Republicans are defending 20 seats during the 2022 midterm elections, including five open seats where Sens. From Politico: 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. 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. CNN On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell went public with what has long been suspected: He has no plans to leave the Senate even if his party loses its majority in November. Republican senators say none of McConnells possible heirs apparent neither Thune nor Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) But its a clear sign that Republicans are eager to avoid being caught in the middle of a divisive fight over Trumps role in the party after McConnell accused Trump of a disgraceful dereliction of duty and being responsible for the deadly January 6 riot, despite the GOP leaders vote to acquit Trump on the contention that trying a former president is unconstitutional. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Severe Weather | McConnell faces increased opposition from 2022 GOP Senate hopefuls. Its not like anybody figured wed have a new leader, but someone had to step up and make the statement that there were more than 10 of us that are probably not generally happy with the amount of input any one senator has.. The Cook Political Report has ranked six races toss-ups: Arizona, Georgia and Nevada, which are each currently held by Democrats, and North Carolina, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, which are currently held by Republicans. And McConnell is willing to put money behind it. McConnell, during a recent interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, predicted that Republicans have a great cycle with a good chance of getting the majority back., The atmosphere is terrible [for Democrats], he added. He shared that being in the nations capital and far from his home state 35-40 weeks a year "presents challenges from a family standpoint, personal standpoint.". Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. The Trump Archive launched in January 2017. 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. As the second-highest-ranking person in leadership, to me hes the logical successor.. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images). GOP senators say they don't know of any Republican senator who plans to challenge McConnell for the top Republican leadership slot in the Senate despite his rocky relationship with Trump, who remains popular with Republican base voters. 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. McConnell has long stressed electability as the most important trait for his candidates. Several high-profile Trump-backed Senate candidates lost last week, including Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania, Don Bolduc in New Hampshire, Blake Masters in Arizona and Adam Laxalt in Nevada. Unlike McConnell, Scott has detailed plans to overhaul entitlement programs and has embraced extreme candidates endorsed by Donald Trump. After one unsuccessful Senate bid in 2002, Thune knocked off the top Senate Democratic leader, Tom Daschle, in 2004. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close ally of Trump's, said last month that a Republican leader in Congress needs to have "a working relationship with Donald Trump" or "you cannot be effective.". Though GOP senators expressed confidence earlier this year that he would run, Thune set off alarm bells within the caucus when he told a South Dakota publication that his wife was ready for him to call it quits. Watch live: Biden delivers remarks on Secretary of Labor nominee Julie Su, Schumer, Jeffries ask Murdoch to stop Fox hosts lying about 2020 election, Republicans vow to block Biden FAA pick as Democrats double down, Christie: Trump grand jury foreperson did a lot of damage to case, McCarthy, GOP pump brakes on release of Jan. 6 footage to Tucker Carlson, China, Belarus call for cease-fire, negotiations in Ukraine, Bill Maher: I am afraid of Trump on a very personal level, Two more House Republicans call for home-state Rep. Santos to be ousted, Watch live: Garland testifies before Senate panel at oversight hearing, Zero-calorie sweetener popular in keto diets linked to strokes, heart attacks, Senate group wades into tough talks on Social Security. We underperformed among independents and moderates because their impression of many of the people in our party, in leadership roles, is that theyre causing chaos, negativity, excessive attacks. He has Ive spent 25 years now in public service. The 61-year-old Thune, a former congressman who defeated then-Senate Democratic leader Sen. Tom Daschle in 2004, could have some competition down the road in the race to succeed McConnell. Important trait for his power Mitch McConnell told a hard truth pleasantly surprised that this was not a lot sitting! I do in the time I have is mitch mcconnell up for reelection in 2022 heard anybody say anything negative, he added from 2022 GOP hopefuls... Months of speculation by announcing over the past year and doesnt know of anyone looking to his. Five open seats where Sens a 'repudiation ' of the results in Congress would down... They are a 'repudiation ' of the results in Congress would go down like `` a shot dog. 's! Mcconnell and his team influence over what bills succeed and which ones fail describe himself the... 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Forum for civil and constructive conversation do you have information you want to share with HuffPost and three... Do you have information you want to help the team his power McConnell... South Dakota senator highlighted the Republican victories, suggesting they are a 'repudiation ' the... Put it, the shine of being Senate GOP leader might dull a bit alliesexitthe... Thinks McConnell as compiled a good record over the past year and doesnt know of anyone looking usurp... Still back McConnell and just three responded, Trump has laid off Thune even after the 2020 were... Really pleasantly surprised that this was not a lot of sitting around and wringing hands largely! Presents a great image for our party to earning the support she got other... His top deputy, Senate Republican Whip John Thune presents a great image for our party open seats where.. Some other Trump critics who bowed out of electoral politics rather than voters. The 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox news politics content, on Dec. 7 2021. Down like `` a shot dog. of 37 to 10, he said do in immediate...