Thune to run for second term as Senate GOP leader after midterm shellacking

Sen. John Thune (R-SD) will run for another term as the top Senate Republican after a midterm cycle that cost his party a majority in both houses of Congress.Unlike Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who announced he would step down from leadership on Wednesday morning, Thune is planning to run for minority leader in the upper chamber, and is so far unopposed.His plans, confirmed by a source close to Thune, are not altogether surprising. Prior to the election, Thune indicated that he would run regardless of whether Republicans stay in power. He will, however, be vying for that post in a worst-case scenario for Republicans that critics previously suggested could spark a leadership challenge. Senate Democrats picked up seats in at least seven states and could win two more depending on the outcome in Alaska and Mississippi, a red stronghold that President Donald Trump carried by more than 20 points in 2024.In the House, Democrats could have a majority that cracks 250 seats, an electoral rout that has sparked calls for new leadership and a flurry of moves to succeed Johnson and his deputies.Thune responded to the results in a social media post Tuesday night, promising that Senate Republicans “will not stand idly by as the far-left, socialist wing of the Democrat Party attempts to unwind everything we’ve done.”He is widely viewed as safe in his leadership post, but has faced lingering complaints that Republicans should have done more to address the cost of living. The Senate GOP’s inability to pass the SAVE America Act, Trump’s signature election bill, also became a sore spot among conservatives.In the immediate aftermath, Trump received the lion’s share of the blame as Republicans pointed to his tariffs and war with Iran as contributing factors to their loss.GOP SUFFERS MIDTERM BLOODBATH: ‘THINK TITANIC MEETS HINDENBURG’Republicans will quickly choose their leaders in closed-door elections next week, when Congress returns for a busy lame-duck session.Reps. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Steve Scalise (R-LA), the current majority leader, are angling to lead Republicans in the House minority. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), the current whip, is being challenged by Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX).