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. 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. While many Republican senators share McConnells view, others do not and are frustrated with the GOP leader for condemning the former President in harsh terms, arguing his comments have put them in a complicated position. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. Now House Republicans are taking over, a potential roadblock to bipartisan legislation hatched by centrists that passes the Senate but divides Republicans. Johns a cautious man. With the state attorney general among the conservatives eyeing a challenge, Utahs voters are near evenly split over whether Romney should run again yet a Romney reelection is important to McConnell to demonstrate the partys appeal goes beyond Trump, even as the former presidents critics vanish from the congressional GOP. Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in New Hampshire. McConnell made his statement a few days after his top deputy, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D. News Channel 3-12 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. Thune earned Trumps ire a year ago for publicly dismissing his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. Hes not impulsive from anyway that I can tell, except on a basketball court, Cramer said of his fellow Dakotan. ", "There's going to be somebody like that. Both senators said their most important election right now is this November, when they have a real shot at taking back the majority. We underperformed among independents and moderates because their impression of many of the people in our party, in leadership roles, is that theyre causing chaos, negativity, excessive attacks. Also he is currently leading the Ukraine When he had that job from January 2015 through January 2021, McConnell used that power to block bills. nor former Senate Republican Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) - appear to be actively jockeying to replace McConnell. Mitt 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. NBC News reported late yesterday: A Republican running with former President Donald Trump's support to unseat Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said Monday that she would not vote for Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., for another term as the Senate's GOP leader. "When I defeat Murkowski and become Alaska's next U.S. senator, I will not support Mitch McConnell as leader," [Kelly Tshibaka said in a written statement]. From Politico: Utahs voters are near evenly split over whether Romney should run again yet a Romney reelection is important to McConnell to demonstrate the partys appeal goes beyond Trump, even as the former presidents critics vanish from the congressional GOP. "I'm going to be running again for leader later this year," he told reporters Tuesday when asked how long he plans to hold onto his job. And, what can be accomplished?. nor former Senate Republican Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) appear to be actively jockeying to replace McConnell. 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. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. We must start saying what we are for, not just what we are against.. CNN In August, Mitch McConnell told a hard truth . Incoming National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines (R-Mont.) Thanks to Democrats' victory, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is lined up to keep setting the agenda instead. 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. He no doubt recalls flawed ones like Christine O'Donnell in Delaware, Sharron | 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. After all, a net gain of just a single Senate seat will make the Kentuckian the majority leader again. Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy won't seek reelection next year, House retirement tracker: Senior Democrats exit as the GOP is confident of a takeover. 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. 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. "I think he does a good job," he said. The South Dakota Republican, a likely successor to Republican leader Mitch McConnell, says he will run for reelection in 2022, putting an end to the speculation about McConnell has also been the target of Trump's wrath after voting for a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a proposal to allow Democrats to raise the debt ceiling by themselves with a simple majority vote. McConnell has long stressed electability as the most important trait for his candidates. Romneys ultimate decision on reelection will say far more about the state of the Republican Party than any other safe red seat. He understands the variety of personalities that he needs to deal with, Collins said. While the lack of response from GOP senators over McConnell underscores the awkward spot Republicans find themselves in, some made clear they are behind the Senate Republican leader. Ive spent 25 years now in public service. Kentucky generally receives a disproportionate share of federal dollars compared with other states partly because of its significant poverty levels, Voss said. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. It validates him as leader in a really big way. The great thing for us is, you have a couple of really exceptional individuals that can step up if McConnell decides to step out.. Watch live: Biden delivers remarks on Secretary of Labor nominee Julie Su, Schumer, Jeffries ask Murdoch to stop Fox hosts lying about 2020 election, Republicans vow to block Biden FAA pick as Democrats double down, Christie: Trump grand jury foreperson did a lot of damage to case, McCarthy, GOP pump brakes on release of Jan. 6 footage to Tucker Carlson, China, Belarus call for cease-fire, negotiations in Ukraine, Bill Maher: I am afraid of Trump on a very personal level, Two more House Republicans call for home-state Rep. Santos to be ousted, Watch live: Garland testifies before Senate panel at oversight hearing, Zero-calorie sweetener popular in keto diets linked to strokes, heart attacks, Senate group wades into tough talks on Social Security. I don't expect that to be me," he noted, adding that it's "certainly not on my radar screen at the moment.". You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Once McConnell would make his mind up one way or the other, Im sure there would be a jockeying for that would become quite apparent, he said. And McConnell is willing to put money behind it. Maura Healey unveils state budget proposal highlighted by free community college. In a statement posted to Twitter, Thune said he is uniquely positioned to serve South Dakota and be a strong and effective senator who can deliver the results they expect.. I think theres probably a greater likelihood the House flips than the Senate, the Senate minority leader said at 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Hes one of a handful of influential Senate centrists weighing how effective they might be if they come back for another term, a group that includes Sens. No one understands the Senate better than he does, Sen. John Thune, the No. McConnell made his statement a few days after his top deputy, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D. I think he does a good job, he said. | ), the No. 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. So Im convinced that if I run, I win. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who chairs the Senate GOP campaign arm, quickly formally endorsed Thune on Saturday, saying in a statement that South Dakotans are lucky to have a conservative fighter like John Thune working for them in the Senate.. Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) But Noem dismissed any bid for Senate and is running for reelection as governor. DeSantis pushes for dismissal of lawsuit brought by migrants sent to Marthas Feehery: Progressive DC government turning city into a dystopia, Vance pitches PPP for Ohio while other Republicans say to wait, The shepherd boy, the wolf and the threat to Israeli democracy, Watch live: White House monkeypox response team holds briefing, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "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. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. The South Dakota senator highlighted the Republican victories, suggesting they are a 'repudiation' of the Democrats' big-government approach. He hinted his wife's preference was that he retire. 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. CNN contacted the 16 Senate Republicans up for reelection in 2022 on Thursday about whether they still back McConnell and just three responded. John Thune, the No. 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. 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. He has | The longtime party leader fended off a challenge from Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), a Trump ally who led a conservative effort to unseat him. And though she said Cornyn and Barrasso would do a very good job, shes one of the few GOP senators willing to weigh in on the shadow leadership race. 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. 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.. What that means, Morgan Watkins, Louisville Courier Journal, Mitch McConnell won't become Senate majority leader. Trump briefly urged South Dakota Gov. Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything related to him: Peter Strzok. The majority leader has the ability to determine which proposals do and don't come up for a vote in the Senate. Two Trump-backed Senate candidates have said they won't support Mitch McConnell for majority leader, which has the potential to make a real difference. Cornyns power base stems from his time as whip and party committee chair in 2010 and 2012 as well as his continued fundraising prowess for the party and handy reelection win in 2020 after Democrats tried to make Texas a battleground state. A vote to delay the leadership elections until after next months Georgia Senate runoff was defeated, 32-16. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. "Potential prospects down the road was a factor as we weighed the question of whether or not to seek another six-year term.". Unlike the other three, however, Romneys biggest threat is more likely to come in a primary than in the general election. McConnell was elected to a seventh Senate term in 2020 by a nearly 20-point margin over Democrat Amy McGrath and won't be up for reelection until 2026. That makes Romneys path to reelection easier than some other Trump critics who bowed out of electoral politics rather than face voters again. Both Sens. Republican senators say none of McConnell's possible heirs apparent - neither Thune nor Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) | Drew Angerer/Getty Images. I have not heard anybody say anything negative, he added. "In the end it came down to this is where you can make a difference and I cant think of a more important time right now to be in the arena," he explained. Former President Trump speaks at a rally on Sept. 25, 2021, in Perry, Georgia. 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. With polls showing the wind at Republicans' backs, and with Democrats holding onto barely existent majorities in both chambers on Capitol Hill, folks like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have reason to be optimistic about the 2022 midterms. GOP Sen. Tim Scotts office referred CNN to a recent Fox radio interview where the South Carolinian noted his support for 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. Ive faced long odds: Getting the nomination in 2012 was a long shot, becoming a Republican governor in one of the most liberal states in America, Massachusetts. I always tell my colleagues Ill come out for them or against them, which ever helps them the most. Watch live: Biden delivers remarks on Secretary of Labor nominee Julie Su, Schumer, Jeffries ask Murdoch to stop Fox hosts lying about 2020 election, Republicans vow to block Biden FAA pick as Democrats double down, Christie: Trump grand jury foreperson did a lot of damage to case, McCarthy, GOP pump brakes on release of Jan. 6 footage to Tucker Carlson, China, Belarus call for cease-fire, negotiations in Ukraine, Bill Maher: I am afraid of Trump on a very personal level, Two more House Republicans call for home-state Rep. Santos to be ousted, Watch live: Garland testifies before Senate panel at oversight hearing, Zero-calorie sweetener popular in keto diets linked to strokes, heart attacks, Senate group wades into tough talks on Social Security. He has consistently avoided answering questions about his relationship with Trump by saying he's focused on fighting President Biden's multi-trillion-dollar agenda in Congress and helping Republicans win back the Senate majority in 2022. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost. The Utahn was the first senator in history to vote to remove a president of the same party from office, in Trumps first impeachment trial. I have a hard time seeing how they get out of the hole by next November., THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell waits to speak at a press conference, where he called for the United States to 'ratchet-up' sanctions on Russia. But McConnells position was never seriously in question going into Wednesdays election. Trump is flirting with running again in 2024 and continues to maintain a fierce grip on the party. 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. McConnell, meanwhile, has clashed with the former president, who in turn has responded by calling for McConnells impeachment. 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. 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. The Washington Post found a handful of other GOP candidates including Rep. Mo Brooks, the Trump-backed candidate in Alabama who were noncommittal, refusing to say whether they'd back McConnell or not. 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. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) 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 Trump remains very popular with Republican voters and extremely influential with many GOP politicians as he continues to play a kingmakers role in party politics and repeatedly flirts with making another White House run in 2024. Hes great. While Trump has seemingly moved on from Thune, hes kept up a long-running, largely one-sided, feud with McConnell. When Mitch McConnell steps down as Senate GOP leader, which wont happen anytime soon, John is sure to replace him. Could a White House race be in his political future? And probably wont do that anytime in the immediate future.. They can't block everything, though. Sens. He has led his conference since 2015, and he is responsible for some of the GOPs biggest accomplishments in recent years, including confirming hundreds of conservative judges, among them three Supreme Court justices who voted to strike down Roe v. Wade earlier this year. WebThe Trump Archive collects TV news shows containing debates, speeches, rallies, and other broadcasts related to Donald Trump, before, during and after his presidency. Going to be actively jockeying to replace him one understands the Senate which. Lined up to keep setting the agenda instead as governor the 2024 campaign trail exclusive... Senate and is running for reelection as governor you want to share with HuffPost grip the... Do n't come up for reelection in 2022 on Thursday about whether still... Trump critics who bowed out of electoral politics rather than face voters again always tell colleagues! 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