Thune Mum on Assuming GOP's Top Senate Post

Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking member John Thune of South Dakota remained tight-lipped Wednesday about whether he would seek the chamber's top Republican post following Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's announcement earlier in the day that he will step down in November. “We'll let you know soon what we’re thinking,” Thune told reporters. McConnell (Ky.) will leave “big shoes to fill” and “today we’ll reflect on his service and honor him for that,” Thune added. Observers have long tipped Thune, the minority whip, as a leading contender to succeed McConnell as the chamber's Republican leader. Other likely contenders include Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (Wyo.) and former GOP Whip John Cornyn (Texas). Thune, a former Senate Commerce chairman, took the Communications gavel in 2019 (see 1901160046).