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On November 13, 2024, Republican members of the United States Senate will hold an election to determine the new leader of the Senate Republican Conference. The election comes after former leader Mitch McConnell announced he would step down as leader and after Republicans gained a majority in the Senate during the 2024 United States Senate elections. The new Republican majority means that the winner of this election will become Senate majority leader, who is considered the most powerful member of the Senate.
Overview
editSenator Mitch McConnell, the leader of the Senate Republican Conference since 2007, announced in February 2024 that he would step down from his leadership position following the 2024 United States Senate elections.[1] Those elections resulted in a Republican majority in the Senate, meaning the winner of the leadership election would become Senate majority leader.[2]
The Senate majority leader serves as the chief representative of their party in the Senate, and is considered the most powerful member of the Senate. The Senate's executive and legislative business is also managed and scheduled by the majority leader.[3]
Key issues for the election include the proposed implementation of term-limits for the Senate Republican leader, a proposed expansion of the leaders power over appointments to Senate committees and how to pass president-elect Donald Trump's agenda.[4][5][6]
The election will be held on Wednesday, November 13 and will only include Republican Senators. A candidate must receive a majority of votes cast to become leader; if no candidate receives a majority the lowest vote getter will be eliminated and the Senators will vote again.[7]
Candidates
editThe following candidates declared their intent to run.
| Candidate | State | Other Senate roles | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
 John Cornyn |
Texas (Served since 2002) |
Republican Senate Whip (2013–2019) |
[8] |
.jpg) Rick Scott |
Florida (Served since 2019) |
Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (2021–2023) |
[9] |
 John Thune |
South Dakota (Served since 2005) |
Republican Senate Whip (Since 2019) Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee (2015–2019) Chair of the Senate Republican Conference (2012–2019) Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee (2009–2012) |
[10] |
Endorsements
edit- Senators
- Josh Hawley, Senator from Missouri (2019–present)[11]
- Senators
- Bill Hagerty, Senator from Tennessee (2021–present)[12]
- Ron Johnson, Senator from Wisconsin (2011–present)[13]
- Rand Paul, Senator from Kentucky (2011–present)[12]
- Marco Rubio, Senator from Florida (2011–present)[14]
- Notable individuals
- Tucker Carlson, conservative political commentator[12]
- Charlie Kirk, conservative political activist[14]
- Benny Johnson, conservative political commentator[14]
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., enviornmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist[14]
- Laura Loomer, far-right political activist[13]
- Senators
- Markwayne Mullin, Senator from Oklahoma (2023–present)[6]
- Mike Rounds, Senator from South Dakota (2015–present)[15]
References
edit- ^ Tackett, Michael (February 28, 2024). "McConnell will step down as the Senate Republican leader in November after a record run in the job". The AP. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ Hubbard, Kaia (November 8, 2024). "Republicans win majority in the Senate, flipping control of upper chamber, CBS News projects". CBS News. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ Wallner, James (August 1, 2018). "What makes Senate leaders so powerful?". Leg Branch. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ Kight, Stef W. (June 20, 2024). "Senate GOP wrestles with post-McConnell term limits". Axios. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ Perano, Ursula (June 26, 2024). "Senate GOP clamor over leadership changes grows louder as Lee insists on term limits". Politico. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Raju, Manu; Barrett, Ted; Fox, Lauren (November 4, 2024). "Battle to replace McConnell remains wide-open as top candidates quietly woo key senators — and Trump". CNN. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ Mondeaux, Cami; Touchberry, Ramsey; Sivak, David (November 9, 2024). "Majority makers: Guide to GOP leadership elections in the Senate and House". The Denver Gazette. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ Choi, Matthew (February 29, 2024). "John Cornyn announces he's running for Senate GOP leader". Texas Tribune. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ McIntire, Mary Ellen (May 22, 2024). "Florida's Rick Scott enters race to be next Senate GOP leader". Roll Call. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ Figueroa, Ariana (March 4, 2024). "South Dakota's John Thune enters race to succeed McConnell as U.S. Senate GOP leader". Alabama Reflector. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ Bolton, Alexander (November 8, 2024). "Hawley will back Cornyn for Senate GOP leader". The Hill. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c Stef W., Kight (November 9, 2024). "Rick Scott scores major MAGA momentum for Senate Republican leader". Axios. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Stef W., Kight (November 7, 2024). "Scoop: Trump dismissed Rick Scott as Senate GOP leader". Axios. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Stef W., Kight (November 10, 2024). "Rubio throws weight behind Rick Scott for GOP leader". Axios. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ Kenne, C.J. (October 9, 2024). "Rounds supports Thune for Senate leadership". SDPB. Retrieved November 9, 2024.