5 possible replacements for Mitch McConnell as he announces retirement as Senate Minority Leader
Possible candidates after Mitch McConnell announces retirement as Senate leader
WASHINGTON, DC: Many of his fellow Republicans were taken aback when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that he would be leaving his leadership position in November. This declaration also sparked instant rumors regarding McConnell's potential successor. Three senators, John Thune (R-SD), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo), have long been seen as potential successors. However, other people are probably going to come forward to vie for the throne.
1. Senator John Thune
As the minority whip, Thune, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, is in charge of determining the positions of GOP senators on crucial issues and making sure the group stays together while voting. Thune, 63, served six years in the House before entering the Senate in 2005. After McConnell made his decision on the Senate floor on Wednesday, Thune was surrounded by media and stated that McConnell "leaves really big shoes to fill." He remained silent, though, on whether he would seek to replace the Kentucky senator.
2. Senator John Barrasso
As the head of the Republican Conference, 71-year-old Barrasso is the third-ranking Republican in the Senate. After working as an orthopedic physician and serving in the Wyoming Senate, he entered the Senate in 2007 and has been there ever since. Although he and McConnell are tight, he was among the first Senate Republicans to support Trump's reelection bid. Additionally, he has endorsed more conservative Senate contenders including Bernie Moreno of Ohio and Kari Lake of Arizona.
3. Senator John Cornyn
Although Cornyn, 72, was the GOP whip for six years prior, he does not now possess a formal leadership position. Since 2002, he has served in the Senate. Prior to that, he served as associate judge of the Texas Supreme Court and as attorney general of Texas. In addition, he served as the head of the Senate GOP's campaign arm, the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Cornyn has never supported any of the other Republican contenders for the 2024 GOP candidacy, despite having previously expressed doubts about Trump's chances of winning this November. Cornyn endorsed Trump in January.
4. Senator Rick Scott
Sen Rick Scott, a Republican from Florida who ran against McConnell in 2022, is the probable wildcard contender to keep an eye on. Although he was defeated 37–10 in the vote, he hasn't ruled out running again. But he stated on Wednesday that he is concentrating on his reelection campaign this autumn. In recent years, he has emerged as one of the most vocal members of the Senate GOP's ultraconservative side and a major opponent of McConnell. He is also a vociferous Trump fan.
5. Senator Tom Cotton
Sen Tom Cotton of Arkansas is apparently thinking about running as well. Although he is close to McConnell, he may be promoted to a lower-level leadership position initially.
