Senate Republicans Leave Leadership Meeting Without a Decision

Senate Republicans ended a two-hour meeting Tuesday without deciding whether to delay leadership elections or proceed with a vote on John Thune’s bid to remain their leader, as the party weighs its direction after midterm losses cost it the Senate majority.

The senators were expected to reconvene Tuesday afternoon. Their discussion had not produced a decision by the time they left the morning meeting, and the timing of the leadership vote remained unsettled. Thune had no declared challenger at the time, and several senators described him as having broad support among Republicans.

Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said he circulated a letter asking the conference to postpone the elections for further reflection. He said the party needed to examine its losses, while acknowledging that no alternative candidate was on the ballot. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah also supported waiting until two undecided Senate races, in Alaska and Mississippi, were resolved.

Other Republicans favored holding the vote Tuesday. Sen. Jim Lankford of Oklahoma said new Republican senators were already in Washington for orientation and supported proceeding. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota said most senators were ready...