Senate Republicans Reelect Thune After 31-15 Vote

Senate Republicans reelected John Thune as their leader on November 10, rejecting an effort to delay the vote after the party lost its Senate majority in the midterm elections. Thune ran unopposed and was reelected by acclamation after senators voted 31-15 to proceed with the leadership election.

The vote followed hours of closed-door discussions about the party’s election losses and its direction. Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson led calls to postpone the election so Republicans could assess the results before confirming their leadership. No challenger to Thune emerged, and senators proceeded with the scheduled vote.

Republicans lost at least seven Senate seats, and Democrats are due to take control of the chamber in January. Thune, who became the Republican leader in 2025, will serve as minority leader when the new Congress begins on January 3, 2027.

Thune said Republicans would make the most of their remaining time in the majority and work to advance nominees and other priorities. Before the leadership election, the conference adopted a resolution calling for Republicans to maximize that period, including seeking confirmation of judicial and executive nominees approved by the...