The majority leader has the ability to determine which proposals do and don't come up for a vote in the Senate. McConnell has come under withering criticism from former President Trump over the past year after blaming Trump for inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The longer answer is: Definitely yes. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost? Trumps ongoing rhetoric about the 2020 election complicates the desire of McConnell (and other party strategists) to make the 2022 midterms solely about Joe Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. McConnell said it "would be real setback for the party and for the country if he retired and I certainly hope he won't.". Also he is currently leading the Ukraine GOP senators say they don't know of any Republican senator who plans to challenge McConnell for the top Republican leadership slot in the Senate despite his rocky relationship with Trump, who remains popular with Republican base voters. 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. Sens. Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything What Bidens FHA mortgage fee cut means for buyers. Hes not impulsive from anyway that I can tell, except on a basketball court, Cramer said of his fellow Dakotan. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images. ), the No. The final vote was 37-10, with one Republican voting present.. Its like, what should I do in the time I have left? Even so, he may face opposition from his own party if he runs, with Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes the most prominent possibility. 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. Thune is allowed to serve two more years as the Republican whip before he will be required to step down from the post at the end of 2024 because of the Senate Republican Conference's term-limit rules for leadership posts. Whether he could win is frankly, not a question in my mind, Romney said in an interview. But despite Trumps previous anger, Thune appears likely to win reelection and has $14,839,846.75 cash on hand in his campaign account as of the last fundraising quarter. John Thune presents a great image for our party. Under Scott, the NRSC took a hands-off approach to GOP primaries, embracing those candidates in the general election. She estimated a leadership campaign wouldnt happen for probably five years from now., Nonetheless, the unofficial battle of the Johns is very real. 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. nor former Senate Republican Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) appear to be actively jockeying to replace McConnell. 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. Likely weighing on Thunes decision on whether to run for reelection was former President Trump. Some senators think McConnells set to stay around as leader until the end of his Senate career, regardless of Trumps relentless attacks on him and calls for new leadership. And probably wont do that anytime in the immediate future.. As the second-highest-ranking person in leadership, to me hes the logical successor.. McConnell made his statement a few days after his top deputy, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D. And Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who's willing to put money behind it, is among the top Republicans urging the Utahn to seek another term. The primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything related to him: Peter Strzok. 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. Theres a very simple answer: Yes. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. McConnell, 80, had the support of 37 senators, while Scott got 10 votes and one senator voted present, CNN reported, citing two members of the GOP conference. No. News Channel 3-12 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. That's why he was criticized for the "legislative graveyard" of proposals that died on his desk. And Romneys self-deprecating sense of humor stands out in the stuffy chamber. Sen. John Thune touts GOP victories as 'response to the Biden agenda', New Orleans mayor recall organizers score deal that could lower signature requirement, Jeffries warns against 'xenophobic activity' from 'MAGA Republicans' as House China Select Committee kicks off, Sen. Mike Lee suspended by Twitter, 'seeking answers', Massachusetts Gov. Senate.". 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. Part of HuffPost Politics. McConnell has long stressed electability as the most important trait for his candidates. Sen. John Thune (S.D. Legal Statement. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. "She is done with it," he said. 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. For months, Thune, 61, had said he was undecided about whether he would run for a fourth term. 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. 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.. Weather Forecast 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]. CNN contacted the 16 Senate Republicans up for reelection in 2022 on Thursday about whether they still back McConnell and just three responded. 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. Theres Thune the South Dakotan, McConnells current deputy, as well as former whip John Cornyn of Texas, the two favorites to succeed the GOP leader. I have not heard anybody say anything negative, he added. Instead, the former president this week went after Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) After one unsuccessful Senate bid in 2002, Thune knocked off the top Senate Democratic leader, Tom Daschle, in 2004. Unlike McConnell, Scott has detailed plans to overhaul entitlement programs and has embraced extreme candidates endorsed by Donald Trump. He listened and was receptive to the folks that he knows probably voted against him. He shared that being in the nations capital and far from his home state 35-40 weeks a year "presents challenges from a family standpoint, personal standpoint.". Hes a deliberate person. How asking the right questions can nudge tax cheats into compliance, Sanders: Senate panel to vote on subpoena for Starbucks CEO, Black Americans more likely to go to emergency departments for mental health care: CDC, High school students pepper-sprayed at anti-racism protest in California, Twitter suspends Mike Lees personal account. Thefirst big gun reform billto become federal law since 1994, which Congress passed after a gunman slaughtered 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas. Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MSNBC political contributor. Just because McConnell can still lead filibusters of legislation doesn't mean he'll stymie everything. The Senate is currently split 50-50 between the two major parties, but Democrats hold a razor-thin majority due to the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Kamala Harris through her constitutional duty as president of the chamber. I think he does a good job, he said. THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. Cornyn said Thune is a very important part of our conference and has a lot to offer, while underscoring that a reelection run is a separate question than who succeeds McConnell. Leader McConnell has my full support and confidence. Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy won't seek reelection next year, House retirement tracker: Senior Democrats exit as the GOP is confident of a takeover. Im 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. He was elected to the House in 1996 and served three terms there. When he had that job from January 2015 through January 2021, McConnell used that power to block bills. Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Wednesday easily won reelection as Senate GOP leader, fending off a conservative challenge led by Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.). The final vote was 37-10, with one Republican voting present. And, what can be accomplished?. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday said he's optimistic about the 2022 midterm elections for Republicans. Theres no sign McConnell would give a Reid-style boost to either Cornyn or Thune, though he publicly encouraged Thune to run again. They dont see what goes on behind the scenes, the organization, the planning, getting people to work together.. Thune and Cornyn are best-positioned to become the next Senate GOP leader but Barrasso is in the mix too. "I have not heard anybody say anything negative," he added. 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. Maura Healey unveils state budget proposal highlighted by free community college. 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. Its a unique sort of a race because you know who the voters are, and its not really influenced by outside influences. What will it take to close it? 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. 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. Unlike the other three, however, Romneys biggest threat is more likely to come in a primary than in the general election. It was the most uncharacteristic move for McConnell, said one GOP source close to the Senate Republican leader. A vote to delay the leadership elections until after next months Georgia Senate runoff was defeated, 32-16. 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. "I think he does a good job," he said. I think theres nothing more important right now than recapturing the majority in the Senate because the agenda the Democrats have put forward is a very, very, radical one, completely out of step with where middle America is, and it needs to be stopped its tracks.". His clout isn't as strong as it was when he was majority leader, but it's still consequential, including when it comes to delivering government funds to Kentucky. Incoming National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines (R-Mont.) McConnell says he will do everything possible to ensure Romney succeeds. ), ended months of speculation by announcing over the weekend that he would run for a fourth Senate term. But over the past year hes also found himself at odds with former President Trump because of the former presidents push for GOP lawmakers to try to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which Trump and some of his closest allies have falsely claimed was rigged or stolen., Thune warned that a long-shot effort to throw out the Electoral College results in Congress would go down like a shot dog.. Though Mitch McConnell has revealed about backing Trump for the 2024 presidential election, he has not confirmed about his re-election in 2022. Mitch McConnell is a U.S. Senate Republican Leader. A A Republican senators up for reelection in 2022 do not appear eager to pick sides between former President Donald Trump and Senate Minority Leader Mitch 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. Yet Trumps attacks ceased, and as he measured his future, Thune said the possibility of one day becoming Republican leader put additional weight on the side of staying around, for sure.. Senate Republicans, who are close allies of the former president, urged Thune to run and not to worry about a Trump-field primary challenge. The senator predicted that Trump's baseless challenge of the results in Congress would go down like "a shot dog." But theres no more prominent GOP Trump foil these days than Romney. The 61-year-old once mulled running for president but has committed himself to the Senate after passing on national ambitions. John Cornyn (Texas), the former GOP whip, and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) But some Republicans have raised questions about whether he can effectively serve as leader while his relationship with the former president remains strained. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) questions U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco as she testifies on renewing and strengthening the Violence Against Women Act during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on October 05, 2021 in Washington, DC. Michael Ginsberg Congressional Correspondent August 18, 2022 2:16 PM ET Font Size: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell expressed concern Thursday about Republicans ability to take back the Senate during the upcoming November midterms, as polls show GOP candidates trailing Democrats in key races. I always tell my colleagues Ill come out for them or against them, which ever helps them the most. They can't block everything, though. You know, Im 75, Romney said. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) also backed another Romney run and is planning to meet with him soon to discuss his plans. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota says the eventual possibility of succeeding longtime Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell in steering Republicans in the chamber was "a factor" in his decision to run for reelection this year. Sen. And timing could be everything: Thune is subject to the same six-year term limits as whip that rotated Cornyn out of the spot. 2 Senate Republican and a close ally of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), on Saturday announced he will run for Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. ", Former President Trump speaks at a rally on Sept. 25, 2021, in Perry, Georgia. Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything What Bidens FHA mortgage fee cut means for buyers. That makes Romneys path to reelection easier than some other Trump critics who bowed out of electoral politics rather than face voters again. Here's what that means for the kind of power he'll be able to wield. IE 11 is not supported. are also viewed as jockeying for the top spot. | Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything related to him: Peter Strzok. Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) With Trump warning he will push primary candidates who fit his mold in 2022 Senate races, many Republican senators facing voters next year are not eager to pick sides following the former Presidents blistering attack on the GOP leader after his impeachment trial. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Anybody who wants to run for it can feel free to do so. "I've always promised that I would do the work, even when it was hard, uncomfortable, or unpopular," Thune said in a statement posted on Twitter. Many of Mitt Romneys fellow senators assume his willingness to break from his party and Donald Trump means hes planning for only one term. GOP Sen. Tim Scotts office referred CNN to a recent Fox radio interview where the South Carolinian noted his support for the leader. McConnell, during a recent interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, predicted that Republicans have a great cycle with a good chance of getting the majority back., The atmosphere is terrible [for Democrats], he added. | Romney stayed neutral during his colleague Sen. Mike Lees (R-Utah) reelection campaign, as his friend Evan McMullin ran against Lee as an independent. SENATE REPUBLICAN REELECTION ARM HAULS IN A RECORD $104 MILLION LAST YEAR McConnell confirmed on Tuesday that hell seek to remain GOP Senate leader after Novembers midterms. Todd Young of Indiana and Roy Blunt of Missouri, who are close with the GOP leader, did not respond to inquiries and may be wary themselves of inviting a possible primary challenger if they anger the former President. Nw SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX about whether they still back McConnell and three. He could win is frankly, not a question in my mind, Romney said in an interview he that! Said in an interview in an interview a rally on Sept. 25 2021! Related to him: Peter Strzok in 1996 and served three terms there, one... Listened and was receptive to the folks that he would run for a vote to delay the leadership until... Steve is mitch mcconnell up for reelection in 2022 ( R-Mont. was the most important trait for his candidates it can free. The results in Congress would go down like `` a shot dog., he. The 61-year-old once mulled running for president but has committed himself to the folks that he knows probably against. 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