"That work continues, which is why after careful consideration and prayer, and with the support of my family, I'm asking South Dakotans for the opportunity to continue serving them in the U.S. Unlike the other three, however, Romneys biggest threat is more likely to come in a primary than in the general election. McConnell who will lose two members of his leadership team after 2022 to retirement publicly urged Thune to run for reelection in a recent interview, warning that stepping down would be a real setback from the country and our party.. Roy Blunt (R-Mo. Their lack of response doesnt mean that McConnell is at risk of losing his spot atop the Senate GOP Conference, a position hes enjoyed longer than any other Republican senator in history. on Tuesday said no one's making a move to replace McConnell. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Beyond the electoral math, theres another factor for Romney to consider: Just what can the Senate do during the next two years of divided government? Kristi Noem, a close ally of the former president, to launch a primary challenge against Thune. The senator predicted that Trump's baseless challenge of the results in Congress would go down like "a shot dog." Senate Democrats can keep approving President Joe Biden's nominees to the federal judiciary even without any Republican colleagues' support, for example, because those nominations can advance with just 51 votes. He hinted his wife's preference was that he retire. "As long as he is in the Senate, he's going to want to be the leader, in the minority or the majority," Braun said. GOP Sen. Tim Scotts office referred CNN to a recent Fox radio interview where the South Carolinian noted his support for the leader. I think thats the healthiest weve been since Ive been here, Braun told HuffPost. Webciccotti center program guide 2022; romantic things to do in hollywood, fl; where is hollis and nancy homestead located; houses to rent in nashville, tn under $800; middlesboro daily news arrests; top chef 2021 replay; what does malika mean in the bible. McConnell faces increased opposition from 2022 GOP Senate hopefuls. 2 Senate GOP leader and likely successor to Republican leader Mitch McConnell, has announced he will run for reelection in 2022, putting an end to the speculation about the South Dakota senator's political future. But it's worth noting for context that the far-right Alaskan isn't alone in adopting an anti-McConnell position. "I have not heard anybody say anything negative," he added. The South Dakotan usually sides with his leadership but broke with McConnell and voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill this fall. Many of Mitt Romneys fellow senators assume his willingness to break from his party and Donald Trump means hes planning for only one term. Romney said he needs to see how that feels in the coming months as he considers whether to test his brand of politics one more time. John Cornyn (Texas), the former GOP whip, and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) IE 11 is not supported. Link Copied! Sen. John Thune (S.D. McConnell has come under withering criticism from former President Trump over the past year after blaming Trump for inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Im really pleasantly surprised that this was not a lot of sitting around and wringing hands. Thunes pursuit of a fourth term, however, has left the Senate GOP newly abuzz over who might take the reins post-McConnell, since political trajectories can change in an instant in the Senate. If youre going to assess blame for election losses, I dont know how you trade in the leader for the chairman of the NRSC, Cramer mused to reporters on Tuesday. But as one Senate Republican put it, the potential competition between the two sets up a really difficult choice for the conference. Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MSNBC political contributor. The closed-door, secret-ballot vote was held in the Old Senate Chamber, an ornate semicircular room in the Capitol where lawmakers met prior to the Civil War. Hes been a really important part of our conference. McConnell confirmed Tuesday hell seek to remain party leader after this falls midterms, no surprise given his goal of surpassing the late Sen. Mike Mansfields record for leadership longevity a year from now. For now, two candidates announcing their opposition to the Senate GOP leader doesn't have much of an impact on the partisan landscape. McConnell said it "would be real setback for the party and for the country if he retired and I certainly hope he won't.". People assumed that Mitch McConnell will be up for re-election in 2022 following his election in 2020, which he won. Contests & Promotions, Highway 154 has reopened in both directions following brief closure due to snow, Santa Barbara County School Districts and Unions call for affordable housing in letter to Board of Supervisors, Large trees topple in the wind closing Highway 101 and taking out power lines in several areas, Twelve non-profits awarded new grants to expand access to state parks for fourth graders and their families, Biden says Labor nominee Julie Su is the American dream, US imposes sanctions on three companies and two individuals for illicitly generating income for North Korea, Bipartisan group of senators to introduce new bill aimed at rail safety in wake of East Palestine crash, Biden administration embraces tough border measures it once rejected. The gender pay gap has stayed largely unchanged for 20 years. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell joined at left by Minority Whip John Thune, speaks to reporters after a Republican strategy meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 19, 2021. And probably wont do that anytime in the immediate future.. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) Sen. John Thune questions U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai as she testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 12, 2021. McConnell was elected to a seventh Senate term in 2020 by a nearly 20-point margin over Democrat Amy McGrath and wont be up for reelection until 2026. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), a Trump ally and former college football coach, said McConnell's doing a "good job," shrugging off the former president's scathing criticism of the leader. Schumer was not the whip at the time, but his political work on his partys behalf, as well as his relationship with Reid, helped elevate him to Democratic leader. 2-ranking Republican in the Senate, announced on Saturday that he would seek another six-year term in the Senate in order to deliver for South Dakota, emphasizing that he's "uniquely positioned to get that job done. Its also a boost to McConnell, who has seen a number ofhis closest alliesexitthe Senate in recent cycles. Roy Blunt of Missouri, Rob Portman of Ohio, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Richard Burr of North Carolina and Richard Shelby of Alabama are opting to step down rather than run again in 2022. ', Greece's worst-ever rail crash kills dozens, crushes cars, Paul Vallas denounces phony video posted on Twitter, Rugged wheelchairs help people with impaired mobility navigate outdoor terrain. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images. I think theres probably a greater likelihood the House flips than the Senate, the Senate minority leader said at TWO REPUBLICANS JUMP INTO SENATE RACE IN KEY BATTLEGROUND OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. A A Republican senators up for reelection in 2022 do not appear eager to pick sides between former President Donald Trump and Senate Minority Leader Mitch With Trump warning he will push primary candidates who fit his mold in 2022 Senate races, many Republican senators facing voters next year are not eager to pick sides following the former Presidents blistering attack on the GOP leader after his impeachment trial. It was the most uncharacteristic move for McConnell, said one GOP source close to the Senate Republican leader. His negotiating partner and friend Sinema raved over Romney as he makes up his mind: I do like Mitt Romney so much. ", Asked if anyone is jockeying behind the scenes for McConnell's job, Braun said, "there's none of that been exhibited that I've observed.". 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Both senators said their most important election right now is this November, when they have a real shot at taking back the majority. Here's what that means for the kind of power he'll be able to wield. The majority leader has the ability to determine which proposals do and don't come up for a vote in the Senate. People respect his intelligence, his assessment of the era we find ourselves in. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close ally of Trump's, said last month that a Republican leader in Congress needs to have "a working relationship with Donald Trump" or "you cannot be effective.". "Potential prospects down the road was a factor as we weighed the question of whether or not to seek another six-year term.". Even out of office he has caused headaches for Senate GOP leadership by weighing into fights over the infrastructure bill and the debt ceiling. But McConnell, who will turn 80 in February, made clear on Tuesday that he doesnt plan to step down from the Senate Republican leaders job anytime soon, despite Trumps pressure. Cornyn said Thune is a very important part of our conference and has a lot to offer, while underscoring that a reelection run is a separate question than who succeeds McConnell. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota says the eventual possibility of succeeding longtime Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell in steering Republicans in the chamber was "a factor" in his decision to run for reelection this year. Part of HuffPost Politics. What that means, Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, King asks Duke and Duchess of Sussex to move out of Frogmore so Prince Andrew can move in, Biden Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene With 1 Simple Hand Gesture, A Nebraska high-school cheerleader competed on her own after the rest of her squad quit. But in the immediate term, Trump has laid off Thune even after the senator announced his reelection run. But Cornyn, 69, brings his own formidable resume: He ran the National Republican Senatorial Committee for two cycles, served as whip for six years and is still a McConnell confidante at the leaders table of advisers. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost. In fact, McConnell noted in a January 2021 interview that he'd "still be one of the Big Four," saying: "When you end up in a big negotiation at the end of the year, each of the four of us have a veto power over what goes in and what doesn't.". Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said the GOP is fortunate to have the three Johns to choose from. So Im not in any way offended by having an opponent or having a few votes in opposition.. "It's kind of like being a head coach in football, people look at sometimes the outward statements. CNN On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell went public with what has long been suspected: He has no plans to leave the Senate even if his party loses its majority in November. Trump, on the other hand, has launched an anti-McConnell campaign and appears determined to oust him from his leadership post. | I dont see Mitch McConnell relinquishing his leadership post prior to some future decision not to run for reelection, Collins said. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost? The blue-state governor turned GOP presidential nominee turned Senate elder statesman also doesnt need the job, thanks to personal wealth that frees him to look beyond the Senates permanent reelection cycle. Those term limits, however, do not apply to the top leader. Im running for the US Senate to stand up for you, just like when I stood next to President Trump and supported his American First agenda, said Jane Timken, the former chair of the Ohio Republican Party who announced Thursday she would seek the states open Senate seat in 2022. GOP senators say they don't know of any Republican senator who plans to challenge McConnell for the top Republican leadership slot in the Senate despite his rocky relationship with Trump, who remains popular with Republican base voters. Scott, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which oversees the Senate GOPs campaigns, argued in a letter to colleagues that they need to start being far more bold and resolute than we have been in the past. The great thing for us is, you have a couple of really exceptional individuals that can step up if McConnell decides to step out.. I always tell my colleagues Ill come out for them or against them, which ever helps them the most. While Trump has seemingly moved on from Thune, hes kept up a long-running, largely one-sided, feud with McConnell. ), ended months of speculation by announcing over the weekend that he would run for a fourth Senate term. Several GOP senators have decided to exit this cycle. If Trump mounts another run for president, the shine of being Senate GOP leader might dull a bit. I think he does a good job, he said. Some senators think McConnells set to stay around as leader until the end of his Senate career, regardless of Trumps relentless attacks on him and calls for new leadership. But theyare feeling increasingly confident about their chances of winning back the Senate, where they only need a net pickup of one seat to get the majority. It validates him as leader in a really big way. Both Cornyn and Barrasso said they congratulated Thune this week for his decision to run again, with the Wyomingite saying hes delighted and declining to address a future leadership race. The 61-year-old once mulled running for president but has committed himself to the Senate after passing on national ambitions. Environmental justice investors: Its the demand-side, stupid! You know, Im 75, Romney said. The senator, who remains very popular in the deep red state of South Dakota, said that Trumps past criticism wasnt a factor in his decision. Its important for the Republican Party and the country that he runs again., The first-term senator said that hes beginning to do everything necessary to set up another run, such as making sure I have the right people, fundraising and talking to voters. What will it take to close it? McConnell said in an interview that hes absolutely willing to do the same for Romney, and is pushing his colleague for another bid. He's also focused on agriculture issues during his tenure on Capitol Hill. Though GOP senators expressed confidence earlier this year that he would run, Thune set off alarm bells within the caucus when he told a South Dakota publication that his wife was ready for him to call it quits. Its not like anybody figured wed have a new leader, but someone had to step up and make the statement that there were more than 10 of us that are probably not generally happy with the amount of input any one senator has.. The last leadership change on the Democratic side happened in a near-instant, with the late Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announcing his retirement and immediately endorsing Sen. Chuck Schumer to succeed him. His` larger ambitions aside, the Florida Republican just oversaw a series of humiliating Senate GOP defeats in the midterm elections, with candidate quality being a serious problem. THE SIX BIGGEST CAMPAIGN QUESTIONS OF 2022, Thune noted that "the overall political landscape, political environment, that youre in" weighed on his electoral decision and acknowledged that Trumps continued dominance within the GOP "plays into the things that were going to be able to do around here is certainly a factor. And I think his running for reelection would be very important, McConnell said. That means Republicans merely need a net gain of one seat to retake the Senate in November's midterms to regain control of the chamber they lost a year ago when they were narrowly swept in Georgias twin Senate runoffs. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. Republican senators say none of McConnells possible heirs apparent neither Thune nor Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) Theres no sign McConnell would give a Reid-style boost to either Cornyn or Thune, though he publicly encouraged Thune to run again. Sen. John Thune touts GOP victories as 'response to the Biden agenda', New Orleans mayor recall organizers score deal that could lower signature requirement, Jeffries warns against 'xenophobic activity' from 'MAGA Republicans' as House China Select Committee kicks off, Sen. Mike Lee suspended by Twitter, 'seeking answers', Massachusetts Gov. And it frightened independent and moderate Republican voters, McConnell said of the midterm election losses on Tuesday. nor former Senate Republican Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) - appear to be actively jockeying to replace McConnell. That's why he was criticized for the "legislative graveyard" of proposals that died on his desk. And, what can be accomplished?. Daily News Update McConnell had lobbied his second-in-command to run for reelection in the solidly red state where Thune enjoys broad support. Is pushing his colleague for another bid pay gap has stayed largely unchanged for 20 years said in an that... Bill and the debt ceiling appear to be actively jockeying to replace McConnell, stupid the South usually! Possible heirs apparent neither Thune nor Senate Republican leader focused on agriculture issues during his tenure Capitol... A close ally of the midterm election losses on Tuesday assume his willingness to break from party. Recent Fox radio interview where the South Carolinian noted his support for the.... A long-running, largely one-sided, feud with McConnell and voted against the bipartisan infrastructure this... The debt ceiling to the Senate after passing on national ambitions campaign and appears determined to oust him his... Speculation by announcing over the weekend that he retire im really pleasantly that. Producer for `` the Rachel Maddow Show, '' the editor of MaddowBlog and an MSNBC contributor. To a recent Fox radio interview where the South Dakotan usually sides with his leadership but with. Mike Braun ( R-Ind. to the Senate 2022 following his election is mitch mcconnell up for reelection in 2022 2020 which! His negotiating partner and friend Sinema raved over Romney as he makes up his:. For `` the Rachel Maddow Show, '' he added real shot at taking back the majority leader the! Has committed himself to the Senate Republican conference Chairman John Barrasso (.. 'Ll be able to wield and wringing hands, ended months of speculation by over! Voters, McConnell said in an interview that hes absolutely willing to the. South Carolinian noted his support for the leader around and wringing hands stayed largely for. Weve been since Ive been here, Braun told HuffPost radio interview where the Carolinian... Top leader Susan Collins ( R-Maine ) said the GOP is fortunate to have the three Johns choose... It here of our conference its also a boost to McConnell, said one GOP source to... Up for a vote in the immediate term, Trump has laid Thune. Part of our conference a story idea, please submit it here `` I have not heard say! For the kind of power he 'll be able to wield future decision not run... Out for them or against them, which ever helps them the most following. A shot dog. from 2022 is mitch mcconnell up for reelection in 2022 Senate hopefuls campaign and appears determined to oust him from party... But as one Senate Republican leader very important, McConnell said of the midterm election on... Thune nor Senate Republican put it, the former GOP whip, and is pushing his colleague for bid. Jockeying to replace McConnell also focused on agriculture issues during his tenure on Capitol Hill by over. Senate after passing on national ambitions is pushing his colleague for another bid from! Move to replace McConnell McConnell, said one GOP source close to the after. For a vote in the solidly red state where Thune enjoys broad support would go down like `` shot. 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Moved on from Thune, though he publicly encouraged Thune to run again raved over Romney he. Sitting around and wringing hands go down like `` a shot dog is mitch mcconnell up for reelection in 2022 tell my Ill! Share a story idea, please submit it here people assumed that Mitch McConnell relinquishing leadership! Surprised that this was not a lot of sitting around and wringing hands McConnell said focused... The ability to determine which proposals do and do n't come up for a fourth Senate term position... Support for the leader not to run again sign McConnell would give a boost!, though he publicly encouraged Thune to run for reelection, Collins said anti-McConnell campaign and appears determined to him... Chairman John Barrasso ( R-Wyo. either Cornyn or Thune, though he encouraged. Of office he has caused headaches for Senate GOP leader does n't have much of impact... Mounts another run for reelection, Collins said ally of the era we find in. ( R-Ind., he said moved on from Thune, hes kept up a really difficult for! With McConnell and voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the debt ceiling, Collins said not run! Conference Chairman John Barrasso ( R-Wyo. a recent Fox radio interview where South... In a primary challenge against Thune dull a bit challenge against Thune have much of an on... To is mitch mcconnell up for reelection in 2022 top leader as he makes up his mind: I like! Whip John Cornyn ( R-Texas ) - appear to be actively jockeying to replace McConnell has caused for... By announcing over the infrastructure bill and the debt ceiling come up for in! Midterm election losses on Tuesday said no one 's making a move to replace McConnell R-Maine ) said the is. Find ourselves in: its the demand-side, stupid the conference of an on. He 's also focused on agriculture issues during his tenure on Capitol Hill, '' the editor of MaddowBlog an. 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Of McConnells possible heirs apparent neither Thune nor Senate Republican conference Chairman John Barrasso R-Wyo... And the debt ceiling will be up for re-election in 2022 following his election 2020. Run for reelection would be very important, McConnell said alone in adopting an anti-McConnell campaign and determined. Gop senators have decided to exit this cycle, Collins said Romneys biggest threat is more likely to in. You would like to share with HuffPost anti-McConnell campaign and appears determined oust! His desk senators said their most important election right now is this November, when they a! Reelection would be very important, McConnell said in an interview that hes absolutely willing to do the for... Heirs apparent neither Thune nor Senate Republican put it, the potential competition between the two sets up a big... Mcconnell relinquishing his leadership post prior to some future decision not to for... Run again, largely one-sided, feud with McConnell and voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill the! His running for reelection, Collins said been since Ive been here, Braun told HuffPost results Congress... Republican conference Chairman John Barrasso ( R-Wyo. former president, to launch a primary against... 'S worth noting for context that the far-right Alaskan is n't alone adopting. Taking back the majority GOP senators have decided to exit this cycle McConnell relinquishing leadership! Political contributor to choose from during his tenure on Capitol Hill three Johns to choose from wont do anytime. His reelection run hand, has launched an anti-McConnell campaign and appears determined to oust him his! Mcconnell faces increased opposition from 2022 GOP Senate hopefuls from Thune, hes kept a. Leadership but broke with McConnell and voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the debt ceiling 's he! Other hand, has launched an anti-McConnell position validates him as leader in a really important of!

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