Who Will Replace Mitch McConnell As Senate GOP Leader?

Senate Republicans vying to replace longtime leader Mitch McConnell have been crossing country to campaign and fundraise for colleagues, making ir final arguments before a consequential ballot week after presidential election. But ir pitches are mostly behind closed doors, and most GOP senators won’t yet say which lawmaker y are backing.

South Dakota's John Thune , McConnell’s current . 2, and John Cornyn of Texas, who held that job before Thune, are front-runners in v. 13 secret ballot to replace McConnell. Kentucky senator is stepping aside from post in January after almost two decades as leader. winner could steer direction of party for years to come and possibly become next Senate majority leader if Republicans win eugh seats in Tuesday's election.

outcome is, for w, uncertain.

Only a few Republican senators have publicly endorsed a candidate. Many say y are still undecided. third senator in race — Florida Sen. Rick Scott , who is dealing with his own reelection bid — could act as a spoiler. Ar candidate could still jump in.

In many ways, “ two Johns” are remarkably similar, making choice difficult for ir colleagues. Both are well-liked and, in mold of McConnell, lean toward more traditional wing of Republican Party. But both have also suggested y will try to move on from McConnell era with a more open approach.

“I’m trying to find differentiation because y’re both great guys,” said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who has worked closely with both of m.

two men are also trying to distinguish mselves from McConnell by making clear that y support Donald Trump in this year’s presidential election. Like McConnell , y have both sparred with Trump in past, especially after Jan. 6, 2021, attack on Capitol . But both Thune and Cornyn have talked to Trump frequently in recent months, attended campaign events and visited his Florida home.

Wher Trump wins, and if he endorses one of contenders, could become a determining factor.

“I don’t kw what he’ll do,” Cornyn said of Trump in September. “But this is obviously an election between senators, and I think that’s where voters are.”

Some of former president’s strongest allies in Senate are urging him to stay above fray. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who is supporting Thune, says he’s been trying to talk Trump out of an endorsement. Trump understands “ need to work with whoever next leader is,” Mullin said.

Tillis suggested that a Trump endorsement could backfire.

“You have to be careful with psychology of Senate,” Tillis said. “We kw each or very well, and we spend hours and hours toger. It’s a fairly small club.”

Still, both Cornyn and Thune are keeping close to Trump. Cornyn met Trump on a trip to Texas in October and appeared at a rally in Nevada. Thune was at an event in August with Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance.

Thune, who said after Jan. 6 attack that Trump's efforts to disrupt peaceful transfer of power were “inexcusable," told Associated Press over summer that he views ir potential relationship as a professional one. If y both win ir elections, Thune said, “we’ve got a job to do.”

Scott, meanwhile, is a longtime friend of Trump’s and has positioned himself as a strong ally. Scott traveled to New York to support Trump during Trump’s hush money trial . Trump could endorse Scott in contest, potentially winning more votes for Florida senator or giving him lever to influence race.

In addition to private meetings, both Thune and Cornyn have flown around country to fundraise and campaign for ir fellow senators.

Thune has made more than two dozen campaign stops for GOP senate candidates, and aides say he has raised more than $31 million for Senate races this campaign cycle, including a $4 million transfer to Senate Republican campaign operation.

Cornyn has similarly gone around for candidates and poured money into Texas races. His aides emphasize his long history of fundraising for Republicans — more than $400 million during his 22 years in Senate, his office says.

On policy, two men are similar, voting generally in step with conference but working with Democrats at times. Cornyn is a longtime member of Senate Judiciary Committee who took a leading role on bipartisan gun legislation two years ago. Thune worked across aisle as a former chairman of Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

It's unclear wher eir could win support from growing mirity of Republican senators who battled McConnell in recent years as he championed Ukraine aid and criticized Trump. Many in that group voted for Scott when he challenged McConnell after 2022 elections.

In a potential overture to that group, Cornyn has called for a conference vote on instituting term limits for Republican leader. “I believe Senate needs more engment from my colleagues, and that includes opportunity for any member to serve in leadership,” Cornyn posted on X in March.

Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, a member of more conservative faction, said he has t made a commitment in race but wants to kw how y would move legislation and work with Trump if he is president. “I think some of this will come into focus after election when we kw what we’re dealing with, we kw what our caucus is going to be,” Hawley said.

Many in that group, including Scott and Utah Sen. Mike Lee, have pushed to take power away from leadership and empower individual senators. Lee has issued a series of candidate demands, but neir Cornyn r Thune has so far shown interest in negotiating.

But both of m have signaled that y hear complaints.

Thune indicated in AP interview that he's open to making changes to leader’s role, but cautioned that he would t leave position at mercy of rank-and-file senators. He said he wanted to “empower our individual members or committees to do things through regular order” and open up amendment process, but “I’m t going to make wholesale changes that weaken leader position to where it’s just a free-for-all."

Tillis suggested in September that it would be a deal breaker for him if any of candidates engd in deal-making.

“If you would be willing to weaken your position to satisfy a few votes, n you’re unfit to be leader, in my opinion,” Tillis said. “And I think most people think that way.”