Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has publicly endorsed Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as the GOP leader in the Senate. On X, Rubio announced, “I will be voting for my Florida colleague @ScottforFlorida to be our next Senate GOP leader.”
The leadership race is shaping up with Scott, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.), and Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), who previously served as the Senate GOP whip during President Trump’s first two years in office. Scott, initially considered a long shot to replace McConnell, has recently gained momentum, with Trump allies rallying behind him after his successful bid to boost GOP prospects in the Senate.
Sen. Mike Rounds praises Thune’s leadership potential, calls him GOP’s best choice
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) lent his support to Scott’s leadership bid, emphasizing the importance of having a leader who can collaborate closely with President Trump to advance the America First agenda. Thune, on the other hand, has advised the president-elect to remain neutral in the leadership race and not exert influence over the outcome.
Before the election, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines (R-Mont.) expressed plans to back Thune for the Senate GOP leadership role, although his official spokespersons noted that further comments would come after the election.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) also endorsed Thune on Sunday, praising him as an excellent choice for leader. In an interview on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday,” Rounds stated, “I’ve known John Thune since the 1980s, he’s gonna be a great leader,” and added that while all three candidates are strong, Thune stands out as the best option for Republicans.
