Senate GOP rebellion fizzles as Thune keeps power despite historic midterm massacre

John Thune won re-election as Senate Republican leader after a group of GOP senators failed to delay the leadership vote following heavy midterm losses. The result keeps the party’s leadership largely intact, though the lengthy closed-door discussions exposed pressure for Republicans to reassess their direction.

Senator Ron Johnson led the effort to postpone the vote, arguing that lawmakers needed time to examine the defeat and consider a strategy; he said the challenge was not personally aimed at Thune. The motion to proceed with the scheduled election failed by 31 votes to 15, and no rival stood against the leadership candidates. Rick Scott and other Republicans called for changes, with Scott urging action on judicial nominees, government funding, a stock-trading ban, permitting reform, defence legislation, the SAVE America Act and the budget.