{"id":2365393,"date":"2024-11-07T05:14:01","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T10:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-election-injects-uncertainty-into-senate-gop-leader-race-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-11-07T05:15:48","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T10:15:48","slug":"trump-election-injects-uncertainty-into-senate-gop-leader-race-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-election-injects-uncertainty-into-senate-gop-leader-race-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump election injects uncertainty into Senate GOP leader race &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-election-injects-uncertainty-into-senate-gop-leader-race-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2365393&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The \u200belection of Donald Trump is \u2064creating uncertainty within the Senate\u200d GOP\u200c leadership race, with potential candidates \u200cMinority Whip John \u2064Thune (R-SD), Sen. \u200bJohn Cornyn (R-TX), and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) \u200banticipating Trump&#8217;s possible influence through an endorsement. The upcoming election, which will be conducted via secret ballot, may hinge on\u2063 whether Trump\u2063 chooses to weigh in, as he has\u2064 significant sway over \u2062Republican \u200dvoters. While Rick Scott \u2063shares a more favorable \u200dhistory with Trump, he is seen as a \u200dlong shot\u200c compared to Thune and Cornyn, both of whom have\u2063 recently worked to repair their relations with the former president. This internal leadership\u2062 election marks a \u200bsignificant power shift\u2063 in\u2064 the GOP, as the party will see new members\u2062 and retirements affecting its \u200bdynamics. Thune, viewed as the frontrunner due to his \u200brole as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-republicans-have-a-choice-back-tuberville-or-fail-a-majority-of-americans-on-abortion-again\/\" title=\"Senate Republicans must decide: support Tuberville or disappoint the majority of Americans on abortion once more.\">minority\u200d whip<\/a>, faces competitive pressure from Cornyn, who highlights his fundraising success and experience. \u200dThe internal dynamics, personal connections to Trump, and\u2062 the introduction of new \u2063senators complicate the landscape of GOP leadership, marking it as one of \u200cthe most significant shake-ups in the last\u2062 two\u2062 decades.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Trump election injects uncertainty into Senate GOP leader race<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1679024\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The election of former President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Donald Trump<\/a> on Tuesday is looming large over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3213569\/senate-gop-leadership-shakeup-election\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"another key election\">another important race<\/a> that will unfold next week: who will lead Republicans&rsquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3219604\/republicans-retake-senate-flip-democratic-seats\/\">new Senate majority<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The three candidates to become the next GOP leader &mdash; Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) &mdash; are preparing for the distinct possibility that Trump could attempt to influence the process by endorsing his favored Republican in the race.<\/p>\n<p>Trump hasn&rsquo;t weighed in on the contest, which will be conducted by secret ballot on Wednesday, and there&rsquo;s no guarantee that he will. But Trump&rsquo;s preference could shape how the Senate&rsquo;s Republicans vote, and whether there will be an upset.<\/p>\n<p>Trump &ldquo;obviously has tremendous influence, if he chooses to use it,&rdquo; Thune said on Fox News on Wednesday. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s his prerogative to weigh in on that. Frankly, I think if he lets it play out, we&rsquo;ll get the right person.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Only one of the candidates, Scott, doesn&rsquo;t have a rocky past with Trump. In fact, Trump endorsed Scott&rsquo;s first leadership run, a failed challenge against Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>But Scott is viewed as a long shot whose support may be limited to the conference&rsquo;s conservative members.<\/p>\n<p>The more likely choices are Thune or Cornyn, both of whom have been attempting to patch up their relationship with Trump after urging the party to move past him following his 2020 loss.<\/p>\n<p>Each endorsed his run for president this cycle and, in more recent weeks, have fundraised for the Trump campaign. But the gestures have been more public from Cornyn. On Election Day, he went on Fox News to declare his desire to &ldquo;Make America Great&nbsp;Again by making the Senate work&nbsp;again.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Similar to Cornyn, Scott has been emphasizing his relationship with Trump.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As Senate Republican leader, Sen. Scott will bring Florida&rsquo;s winning conservative record to Washington and be a true ally to President Trump to executive his agenda,&rdquo; said McKinley Lewis, Scott&rsquo;s communications director.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-gop-to-choose-mcconnell-successor-week-after-november-election-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Senate GOP to choose McConnell successor week after November election - Washington Examiner\">internal leadership election<\/a>, limited to returning senators and senators-elect, will be the biggest GOP power shake-up the Senate has experienced in nearly 20 years, since McConnell first became party leader in 2007. McConnell will continue to serve as a rank-and-file member but decided to step down from leadership earlier this year.<\/p>\n<p>Retirements and the addition of at least three newcomers &mdash; Bernie Moreno of Ohio, Tim Sheehy of Montana, and Jim Justice of West Virginia &mdash; could throw an extra level of uncertainty into the mix.<\/p>\n<p>Thune has been considered the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">marginal front-runner due<\/a> to his role as minority whip, the No. 2.-ranking leadership post. But the other leading contender, Cornyn, has kept the race competitive by emphasizing his fundraising chops and past experience in leadership.<\/p>\n<p>Both have raised tens of millions of dollars for their GOP colleagues and candidates.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From left, Sen. John Thune (R-SD), Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and then-Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX), turn away from the microphones after speaking to the media following a luncheon with President Donald Trump, Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The public jockeying has been complemented by behind-the-scenes handicapping of how everything will play out. One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized the years Cornyn worked with Trump as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-arizona-state-rep-issues-call-to-withhold-states-electoral-college-votes-to-joe-biden-due-to-significant-evidence-of-fraud\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Arizona State Rep Issues Call to Withhold State&#039;s Electoral College Votes to Joe Biden Due to Significant Evidence of Fraud\">majority whip<\/a> as an advantage while suggesting Trump might really want a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/opinion-desantis-derangement-syndrome-is-spreading\/\" title=\"OPINION: \u2018DeSantis Derangement Syndrome\u2019 Is Spreading\">dark horse candidate<\/a> like Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.<\/p>\n<p>Daines, who hunts with Donald Trump Jr., has taken himself out of consideration and is expected to support Thune.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure Trump, in his heart of hearts, would prefer Daines, and he certainly would prefer Rick Scott,&rdquo; a former Senate GOP leadership aide said. &ldquo;But if it&rsquo;s a binary choice, Cornyn has the better relationship and has a better track record of working with Trump.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>A second source suggested Thune&rsquo;s public appearances on the campaign trail would help him with incoming members.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a big difference between being asked to come to a state for a private fundraiser and being asked to campaign,&rdquo; a Senate GOP operative said. &ldquo;These incoming freshmen wanted to be seen with Thune on the campaign trail.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2024-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The leadership race has dragged on for months, thanks to McConnell&rsquo;s decision to announce his retirement early. But the process will move quickly once lawmakers return from their election recess next week.<\/p>\n<p>Senate Republicans are also moving quickly to get Trump&rsquo;s Cabinet in order, with early conversations on confirmation hearings to be held after the GOP majority is seated Jan. 3 but before Trump retakes the White House on Jan. 20, according to a senior GOP aide.<\/p>\n<p><em>&ndash; Samantha-Jo Roth contributed to this report. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1679024\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1679024\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump&#8217;s election creates uncertainty in Senate GOP leadership race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2365394,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/trump-looms-sentate-gop-leader-election.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[3728,6203,3740,3634,15390],"class_list":["post-2365393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-election","tag-gop","tag-senate","tag-trump","tag-uncertainty"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/trump-looms-sentate-gop-leader-election.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2365393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2365393"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2365393\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2365397,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2365393\/revisions\/2365397"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2365394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2365393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2365393"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2365393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}