Senate Republicans are plowing ahead with plans Tuesday to hold internal leadership elections for the new Congress in January when they’ll be in the minority, even as a vocal faction demand they be postponed to debate the fallout from the GOP’s electoral bloodbath.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), who’s served in his role since Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) relinquished the post in January 2025, said Monday he was “open to hearing what the arguments are” on delaying the elections but cast doubt that such a vote is productive.
“I don’t know if that solves anything,” Thune told reporters at the Capitol. “It’s going to be a decision that’s ultimately made by Republican senators. So, we’ll hear them out.”
The endeavor to delay is led by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), who vowed in an interview with the Washington Examiner to walk out of the closed-door proceedings if Republicans move forward with a quick vote. Thanks to a handful of rebels who back his initiative, the conference will be forced to discuss Republicans’ midterm wipeouts before voting to proceed with their secret-ballot elections. Thune is not facing a challenger and is expected to secure a second two-year term, but this time leading the opposition.
“We all like John Thune. We like him, OK?” Johnson said in a sit-down interview. “I don’t want to say anything bad about him. But again, at some point in time, our supporters absolutely believe we have to hold people accountable, and probably are looking for a new face, or new faces.”
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) is also advocating a delay, along with Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL), Mike Lee (R-UT), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Jim Banks (R-IN). Only members who will serve in the next Congress can participate.
“We need time to talk to each other. We need to focus. We need honesty. We need to try to reach a consensus on what we need to change,” Kennedy said. “The best analogy I’ve heard is that we’re like a store owner who’s losing his customers. It’s not the customer’s responsibility to fix that. It’s the store owner’s responsibility. I’m not looking for blame shifting. I’m looking for self-examination.”
Kennedy would not commit to the Washington Examiner to cast his secret ballot in favor of Thune.
In a “dear colleague” letter distributed to his fellow Senate Republicans, Scott, who previously challenged Thune for leader in 2025, re-upped a past demand that the GOP majority remain in continuous session for the final weeks of the remaining Congress to maximize their power and confirm President Donald Trump’s nominees. In an interview, Scott said he was an “eternal optimist” but doubted Republicans would vote to delay the leadership elections on Tuesday, noting that only five senators signed a letter requesting a special conference meeting.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) wants “a tough family conversation” after losing at least seven Senate seats, with two more in Alaska and Mississippi too close to call but trending in Democrats’ favor.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., heads to an intelligence briefing in a secure room in the basement of the Capitol with the director of national intelligence and other congressional leaders, as Congress returns to work following the midterm elections, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., heads to an intelligence briefing in a secure room in the basement of the Capitol with the director of national intelligence and other congressional leaders, as Congress returns to work following the midterm elections, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) heads to an intelligence briefing in a secure room in the basement of the Capitol with the director of national intelligence and other congressional leaders, as Congress returns to work following the midterm elections, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Meanwhile, Thune’s deputies have stuck by his side. They made the case their members will have the opportunity to discuss issues and concerns prior to the vote and that postponing it would only delay the inevitable and further fracture their conference.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), a member of Thune’s leadership team who is leaving Congress and will not be able to participate in the conference elections, placed the blame for the results from last week’s midterm elections on Trump rather than Thune.
“I think the president needs to look in the mirror and look at the flawed candidates that he endorsed and the kind of environment that we’re in,” Cornyn said. “Much of it is a result of his own making, and I think Thune’s a good man and did as well as he could against a president and an environment that was pretty hostile.”
The GOP debate comes at the same time Senate Democrats are divided whether a progressive can mount a challenge to Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), despite his role in flipping the chamber. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) said Monday he is considering a challenge.
RON JOHNSON PLANS LEADERSHIP ELECTION WALKOUT IN PROTEST OF QUICK VOTE: ‘I’LL LEAVE THE ROOM’
“It’s not about me, but I am listening to the thousands of people who have been calling for change, but especially listening to our members,” Van Hollen said. “What I’ve said from the very beginning is we shouldn’t have a coronation. We should have a caucus discussion about what we’re going to do with the power and responsibilities that have been invested in this, and until then, I think that nobody should be making any commitments. But in response to people calling upon me to step up here, what I’ve said is I’m in listening mode and haven’t shut the door.”
Democrats will hold their leadership elections next month.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
