BREAKING: South Dakota’s John Thune is new U.S. Senate Majority Leader

November 13, 2024

South Dakota News Watch

WASHINGTON D.C.–Two decades after John Thune ignited his political brand by knocking off Democratic Senate Leader Tom Daschle in South Dakota’s momentous 2004 U.S. Senate race, he will assume the Republican leadership role himself.

South Dakota’s senior senator won the job in a secret ballot among GOP senators Wednesday in Washington, snuffing out speculation that contenders closer to President-elect Donald Trump would rally enough MAGA-style support to carry the day.

The Murdo native has built relationships and forged a reputation as a reliable conservative voice ever since that 2004 triumph over Daschle, which made him a rising GOP star at age 43.

Ascending to the top job and replacing his Senate mentor comes at an opportune time for Thune, who worked to help his colleagues regain the Senate majority. Republicans also wrested control of the White House and likely the House of Representatives as well as a conservative majority in the U.S. Supreme Court.