Thune to seek Senate minority leadership after GOP loses control
The South Dakota senator plans to run for the opposition post despite losing at least five seats in Tuesday's election and facing internal criticism over legislative output.
By Chioma Kuznetsov ·
Senate Majority Leader John Thune will seek the position of Republican minority leader following the party's defeat in Tuesday's midterm elections.
A source close to Thune confirmed the South Dakota Republican intends to pursue the leadership role. The GOP is expected to lose at least five seats in the upper chamber. These losses include districts in traditional Republican strongholds such as South Carolina and Texas. The margin of defeat widened the Democratic majority in the Senate.
Thune defended the conference's performance in a social media post. He stated that Republicans created safer streets and increased household income. He claimed the party delivered new opportunities for families and businesses. Thune noted that the group blocked what he called the largest tax hike in American history. He said they secured the border and confirmed the president's Cabinet at the fastest pace in two decades. He also highlighted the appointment of conservative judges at a rate not seen since the Reagan administration.
Criticism of Thune's tenure intensified earlier this year. President Donald Trump and House Republicans blamed the Senate for failing to pass key legislation. The SAVE America Act, an election integrity measure, passed the House three times in 2026. It stalled in the Senate because the party could not reach the 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster.
Internal sentiment suggests Thune may face a challenge. Another source close to the Senate majority indicated that the leadership ambition could invite backlash. The source argued that the conference failed to deliver on key promises of the president's agenda. This failure allegedly hurt Republican voter turnout.
The source cited the chamber's limited session time as a factor in low approval ratings among Republican voters. The Senate was in session for 217 days in 2025. It sat for only 148 days in 2026. The source suggested that outspoken allies of the president, such as Utah Senator Mike Lee, could emerge as viable alternatives to Thune.
