Senate Republicans tapped John Thune of South Dakota to lead the conference for the next two years and succeed Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving leader of either party in Senate history.
Thune, who has served as the Republican whip since 2019, edged out John Cornyn of Texas 29-24 on the second ballot.
Rick Scott of Florida, a late favorite of hard-right members, was eliminated on the first ballot after receiving just 13 votes to 15 for Cornyn and 23 for Thune.
Come January, the 63-year-old Thune will be the first non-McConnell GOP Senate majority leader since Bill Frist of Tennessee, who held that post for four years before giving way to McConnell (R-Ky.) following the Republican wipeout in the 2006 midterms.
The vote to succeed McConnell, 82, was held among all 53 Republican senators and senators-elect.
Among those who cast ballots were Vice President-elect JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who is widely reported to be President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for secretary of state.
