Senate and House Republicans prepare for internal elections this week

Contests for the Senate majority leader and suddenly-open House Republican conference chairman position headline this week’s GOP leadership elections on Capitol Hill, with open competition for both posts.

Senate Republican Whip John Thune of South Dakota, along with former Whip John Cornyn of Texas and Florida Sen. Rick Scott, are vying to replace incumbent leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who is now the minority leader and is at the top. GOP leadership hierarchy since 2007.

Thune, who is looking to move up for the No. 2 job, could rightfully be considered the favorite; But there is also outside pressure for Scott from businessman Elon Musk and other prominent supporters of President-elect Donald Trump. Rebel candidate of the three. Scott chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 2022 campaign cycle, when Republicans lost the Senate seat, and then challenged McConnell’s leadership for the current Congress. He has been a constant critic of the leadership.

“As Congress returns to Washington, we must prepare the Senate to advance this agenda legislatively and ensure that the next president takes action with the confirmation of his appointees as quickly as possible,” Thune wrote on Fox News. idea “The Republican majority in the Senate will work with President Trump to ensure that the Senate calendar allows us to confirm Trump’s nominees and pass our shared agenda as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Outside support may not be much of a factor in a secret ballot election with a constituency of more than 50 senators and senators-elect. A reporter at local Fox affiliate Tenn. In Nashville, on Tuesday, Sen. A protest against the secret ballot was reportedly expected outside Marsha Blackburn’s office. The election is planned to be held on Wednesday.

Sen., who is currently chairman of the Republican Conference. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) is running and is expected to run unopposed for the whip in the next Congress. This opens Barrasso’s current slot; axios reported was on track to go to Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas in a tight race against Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa over the holiday weekend.

House Republicans, Those approaching control of 218 seats, according to the Associated Press Americans, who must maintain control of the chamber next year, are likely to support their current top leaders once again. But Trump’s victory and subsequent announcement that he would nominate New York Rep. Elise Stefanik as ambassador to the United Nations paved the way for Stefanik’s current leadership role as conference chair.

Stefanik said Monday that she was withdrawing from her leadership re-election bid and would be sending a Dear Colleague letter to that effect. House GOP leadership elections are also expected to be held Wednesday.

The Stefanik news, though not unexpected, sparked a frenzy among Republicans seeking the newly opened seat at the leadership table.

“With the mandate the American people gave President Trump and my fellow Republicans on Tuesday, we need to deliver results now more than ever,” Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., said Monday. announces his offer.

Other contestants add The current conference secretaries are Michigan Rep. Lisa McClain and Indiana Republican Rep. Erin Houchin.

“The Conference President’s role is not to be the center of attention; it’s about giving our members’ voices a voice and giving them the tools they need,” Houchin said. shouting His candidacy on issue X. “As the legacy of the media fades, I will carry forward President Trump’s approach to delivering our message directly to the American people and do my part to help make our conference a success.”

Assuming a majority is secured, Louisiana’s current Speaker, Mike Johnson, will likely win the support of his fellow Republicans for the position in the 119th Congress, although that post is a constitutional office elected by the full House. With what is again expected to be a narrow majority in the GOP, Johnson will need to garner votes and ensure the participation of his members to remain in office with the presidential election scheduled for Jan. 3, when the new Congress will be sworn in. .