Possible contenders to replace McConnell as Senate GOP leader include the ‘Three Johns

Speculation Mounts Over McConnell’s Replacement as GOP ⁣Leader

With Sen. ‍ Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announcing on Wednesday his intent to end ​his reign as GOP ‍leader in the Senate, speculation⁢ about who will run to replace him in ​the role quickly began to mount.

Top of ​the list of potential contenders, according to early chatter, ⁤appears to be the so-called “three Johns:” Sens. John Thune (R-SD), John Barrasso (R-WY), and John Cornyn (R-TX).

Thune is currently‌ the second-ranked Republican‍ in the chamber, ‌serving⁣ as minority whip — a‍ role in which the holder ⁤performs head counts and rallies members of the party ‌for votes and quorum calls.

The No. 3 Republican‌ in the Senate is Barrasso, who serves as⁤ chairman of⁣ the Senate Republican Conference. Cornyn is a former Republican whip and ex-chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee tasked with ⁤getting Republicans elected to the Senate.

None of the “three Johns” appeared to be ready to make any ‌sort ​of announcement shortly after McConnell delivered remarks on ⁣the Senate floor declaring his plans to step down.

“That election is nine months away, and there is a ‍much more important election ​between now and then,” Barrasso said, ⁤ according to CNN. “And that’s the election that we need to take the presidency, and⁤ the Senate, and ⁢the House and that’s where my focus is right now.”

Thune released a statement ⁢that said, ‍“I look forward ‍to having a discussion with my colleagues about what the future ⁢holds for the Senate Republican Conference⁢ and ‍a new generation of leadership.”

Fox News reported that Cornyn said he has “made no secret about my intentions,” but declined to share plans on his timeline for⁣ making ⁢a decision.

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McConnell’s announcement comes has he faced blowback from some GOP colleagues over his support of a border deal ​that failed⁣ to pass after months of bipartisan negotiations. And unlike other top⁣ Senate Republicans, McConnell has​ not endorsed ⁤former President Donald Trump or any other GOP candidates running ​for the White House in 2024.

During his speech on Wednesday, ​McConnell said he will stay on as leader ‍for⁢ the time being as his colleagues pick a new leader in‌ November and that person will take on the role in January. He also indicated plans to remain ‌as a senator for his full term, which ends in January 2027.

The last ⁤time a GOP leadership election was ⁢held, in November of 2022, McConnell prevailed over a challenge by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL).

Some⁣ Republican and​ conservatives have begun voicing support for Scott,⁢ a former governor of Florida and chairman⁤ of the​ National Republican Senatorial Committee, to mount another campaign for leader.

“Mitch McConnell stepping down provides a great opportunity for true conservative⁢ leadership in the Senate. [Sen. Rick Scott] would make a great Republican leader,” Rep. Bob Good (R-VA), chairman of the ⁢House Freedom Caucus, ‌ said in a post to X.

Scott ‌released ‌a statement on McConnell stepping down but did not ​immediately announce a run⁤ to replace‍ him.

“I have been very clear and ‌have long believed that we need new leadership in the Senate that represents our voters and ‌the issues we were sent here to fight for,” Scott said.

“As everyone knows, I challenged McConnell last ‍year,” he ​added. “This‍ is an opportunity to refocus our efforts on solving the significant challenges facing our country and actually reflect the aspirations of voters.”

Among other names being⁢ floated as possible candidates for⁣ GOP leader was Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), the current⁣ chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee who is now focused on getting Republicans to win back the majority in the upper chamber.

What reasons have been given by Barrasso, Thune, and Cornyn for not making any official announcements about their candidacy for the GOP ⁣leader role?

Of GOP leader in January 2023. This timeline allows for a smooth ⁢transition of power and ensures ‍that the new leader has ample time ‌to prepare for the upcoming elections.

The speculation surrounding McConnell’s replacement has centered around the “three Johns” – Thune, Barrasso, ‌and Cornyn. These three Senators have distinguished themselves within the Republican Party and‌ have taken on important leadership roles. Thune, as the current minority whip, is responsible ⁣for rallying party members for votes and quorum calls. Barrasso serves as the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, while Cornyn is a former Republican whip and chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Despite the ‍swirling rumors, none ⁣of the “three Johns” have made any official announcements regarding their candidacy for the role. Barrasso’s focus is​ currently on the upcoming​ elections, stating that it is a more important​ priority at this time. Thune ‍expressed his eagerness to discuss the future of ⁢the Senate Republican Conference and the potential ⁣for new leadership. Cornyn, although acknowledging ‍his intentions, has remained ‌tight-lipped about his plans and timeline for making a‍ decision.

McConnell’s decision to ‍step down as GOP ⁣leader comes as he faces criticism from his own party over his support ​for ​a border deal that ultimately failed to⁢ pass. Additionally, McConnell has refrained from endorsing former President Donald Trump or any other GOP candidates for the 2024 presidential race, setting him apart from other top Senate Republicans.

In conclusion, McConnell’s announcement has sparked speculation about his ⁢replacement as GOP leader in the ‌Senate. The “three ⁢Johns” – Thune, Barrasso, and Cornyn – are considered as potential contenders for the role. However, no official announcements​ have been made, and the focus remains on the upcoming elections. McConnell’s decision to step down allows for a seamless transition of power ​and gives⁣ the new leader ample time to prepare for their duties in January 2023.

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