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Senate Republicans re-elect John Thune as leader after midterm shellacking
Senate Republicans re-elected John Thune to a second two-year term as their conference leader, despite calls to delay the vote after the party’s poor midterm results. Thune will lead a minority of no more than 46 senators when the new Congress begins on 3 January.
Republicans lost at least seven seats, with Democrats gaining seats in Iowa, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas; Alaska and Mississippi remained undecided. Seven Republican senators, led by Ron Johnson, sought to postpone the leadership vote, arguing the losses called for change and more time to assess the results. Thune’s critics also cited the need to review his plans for the final weeks of Republican control.
In short
- John Thune won a second term as Senate Republican leader.
- Republicans lost at least seven seats in the midterms.
- Seven senators had sought to delay the leadership vote.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Re-electing Thune offers continuity and an experienced hand as Republicans prepare to lead a smaller minority. His supporters could argue that a leadership vote should judge his record and plans, rather than treat a disappointing election result as proof that a change would improve the party’s position.
The case against
Postponing the vote would give senators time to understand the losses and decide whether the party’s strategy or leadership needs to change. Thune’s critics could argue that promptly renewing his mandate risks overlooking lessons from the results and limits scrutiny of his plans for the remaining weeks of Republican control.
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