Senate Republicans to choose new leader as Mitch McConnell steps down
Senate Republicans will meet behind closed doors to elect a new leader, capping a battle that has divided the party and pitted a candidate backed by vocal MAGA allies of President-elect Donald Trump against two long-serving senators with institutional knowledge and deep relationships in the body.
WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans will meet behind closed doors Wednesday to elect a new leader, capping a battle that has divided the party and pitted a candidate backed by vocal MAGA allies of President-elect Donald Trump against two long-serving senators with institutional knowledge and deep relationships in the body.
The three-way race features Sens. John Thune of South Dakota, the current whip; John Cornyn of Texas, a former whip; and Rick Scott of Florida, an underdog candidate who just won a second term. Senate Republicans held a candidate forum Tuesday evening after Congress returned from a lengthy recess.
The secret ballot election is set for Wednesday morning; incumbent and newly elected senators will be able to vote, and it's unclear who will win. Only a handful of members have said how they'll vote, with most holding their cards close to the vest. If nobody gets a majority on the first ballot, the lowest vote-getter will be eliminated and the top two will face off in a second ballot.
The winner will be majority leader for the next two years after Republicans won control of the Senate in the elections. The victor will replace Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who is stepping down from party leadership after an 18-year tenure that made him the longest-serving leader in Senate history.
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