Multiple Senate Republicans Throw a Wrench in John Thune's Bid to Retain Leadership Spot
Several Senate Republicans are moving to postpone their closed-door leadership elections, scheduled for Tuesday, after last week’s midterm losses.
The effort does not formally challenge Senate Majority Leader John Thune, but it forces a conference discussion before members vote on who will lead them in the minority.
Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin has gathered the five signatures required to request a special conference meeting. He plans to deliver the letter to Conference Chairman Tom Cotton on Monday.
The letter describes the election results as a “stunning defeat” and argues that holding leadership votes without first examining what went wrong would amount to “political malpractice.”
Sens. John Kennedy of Louisiana, Mike Lee of Utah, and Rick Scott of Florida have publicly confirmed they signed the letter.
Lee has said the conference should not elect leaders until members have discussed the results and know the final makeup of the caucus.
I have signed Sen. Ron Johnson’s letter to postpone Senate Republican leadership elections next Tuesday. Ron needs 5 signatures.
— John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) November 7, 2026
Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick weighed in on the conversation on Sunday.
In a statement posted on X, McCormick said the midterms produced “the worst election results in decades” and that Republicans need time to discuss what went wrong, what the party stands for, and how to focus on voter concerns.
“We need leadership in place fast, but Tuesday is too soon,” McCormick wrote.
He said that he had already raised the issue directly with Thune.
https://t.co/h3bEe3TzBl
— Senator Dave McCormick (@SenMcCormickPA) November 9, 2026
Thune has indicated he will seek the post of minority leader. No other Senate Republican has announced a challenge against him.
Leadership elections remain scheduled for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, although the conference could vote to delay them. Similar efforts to delay leadership votes after elections did not succeed.
Signing you in…
Please keep this page open. The results will appear here.
Check your email to count your vote
We sent a confirmation link to .
Click Confirm Your Vote in that email to count your vote and unlock the results.
Your vote has not been counted yet. If the email hasn't arrived, check your spam or junk folder.
The push comes as Republicans prepare for the lame-duck session and for the next Congress, when Democrats will control both chambers.
Some members want clearer commitments on legislative priorities, including election-related bills, before locking in leadership.
Republicans just LOST the Senate.
And the plan is to hand John Thune the keys again in nine days?
NO.
Ron Johnson is right: “There’s no reason to rush a leadership election – especially after a defeat.”
Since 1934, these elections came about 40 days after Election Day.
Since 2006, just nine.
Why the rush?
So nobody has time to ask who lost us the majority.
We need a FIGHTER leading the minority, not a manager.
Call your Republican senators TODAY.
Tell them: NOT Thune.
Who should lead instead?
https://t.co/xNwvjybWzG— Mila Joy (@Milajoy) November 7, 2026
The debate has also spilled into public view and underscored a divide among Republicans.
Mila Joy posted that the party “just LOST the Senate” and questioned handing Thune “the keys again in nine days,” quoting Johnson that “there’s no reason to rush a leadership election — especially after a defeat.”
She called for a “FIGHTER leading the minority, not a manager,” and urged constituents to contact their lawmakers to oppose Thune.
At the same time, Thune retains support inside the conference.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Punchbowl, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso described Thune as “a very popular leader of our party” who would “certainly get reelected” if he runs again, reflecting the preference among many colleagues for continuity over a contested fight after the midterm losses.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
