Three men named John: Senators begin jockeying to replace Mitch McConnell
Who will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate Republican leader? Three men named John — Sens. Barrasso, Thune and Cornyn — are the frontrunners.
WASHINGTON — The jockeying to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell as Republican leader has begun after the Kentuckian announced he will step down in January following a record 18 years in the position.
The list of prospects begins with “three Johns” — as they’ve become known on Capitol Hill — who are current or former deputies to McConnell and are widely seen as the front-runners for the post. One thing they have in common: All have endorsed Donald Trump for president as the ex-president’s influence with the Senate GOP grows.
Though Trump could be a factor if he decides to weigh in on the race, Senate Republicans will vote for their next leader behind closed doors in November. McConnell’s successor will take over in January.
Here are the names in the mix for top Republican leader, including the three Johns and some non-Johns who may make a long-shot bid.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, became the first Republican to announce his bid Thursday, doing so in a statement. He said he hopes to fix a “broken” Senate.
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