Republican senators met in a secret vote to decide who will lead the new Senate majority next year, replacing leader Mitch McConnell. John Thune, John Cornyn, and Rick Scott are vying for the majority of votes, promising a new direction in the Senate and seeking the favor of Donald Trump, who is regaining influence in the party.
Trump's relationship with Congress is tested in this election, as the candidates have been struggling both inside and outside the Senate for the necessary support. Thune and Cornyn have primarily campaigned in the Senate, working individually with senators and fundraising for Republicans. On the other hand, Scott has received significant backing from Trump allies, such as Elon Musk, strengthening his candidacy.
The election of the new Republican leader in the Senate, along with a possible final endorsement from Trump, could shape the course of the former president's attempts to regain control over the legislative branch in his second term. Both veteran senators, Thune and Cornyn, are seen as institutionalists more in line with McConnell, while Scott has built support outside the Senate and within Trump’s close circle to push for changes in the party.
In Scott's words about McConnell and his relationship with Trump: "His relationship with McConnell was tense in his first term, and Trump often became frustrated because lawmakers did not fully submit to his will." The three candidates quickly mobilized upon McConnell's announced retirement, highlighting the significance of this election for the future of the Senate and the Republican party.
