Republican senators ask Cotton to delay leadership vote

Sen. Ron Johnson and four other Republicans have asked Senate Republican Conference Chair Tom Cotton to postpone Tuesday’s leadership elections and convene senators to discuss the party’s midterm defeat. Two additional senators have publicly backed delaying the vote, but Cotton has not announced whether he will do so.

Johnson sent Cotton a letter signed by Sens. Ted Budd, Rick Scott, Mike Lee and John Kennedy. The five signatures meet the conference threshold to request a full meeting, according to reports describing the letter. The senators want members to discuss the election results and hear from leadership candidates before choosing their leaders.

Sens. Jim Banks and Dave McCormick also called for a delay, though neither signed the letter. Banks said Tuesday was too soon and called for a discussion of where Republicans fell short and what they should do next. McCormick said senators should consider the lessons of the midterms before holding leadership elections.

The elections were scheduled for Tuesday, November 10. Accounts differ on whether the vote was set for 9 a.m. or later in the day, but agree that the conference could postpone it. Cotton, as conference chair, has...