McConnell said it "would be real setback for the party and for the country if he retired and I certainly hope he won't.". DeSantis pushes for dismissal of lawsuit brought by migrants sent to Marthas Feehery: Progressive DC government turning city into a dystopia, Vance pitches PPP for Ohio while other Republicans say to wait, The shepherd boy, the wolf and the threat to Israeli democracy, Watch live: White House monkeypox response team holds briefing, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. (AP Photo/J. While Trump has seemingly moved on from Thune, hes kept up a long-running, largely one-sided, feud with McConnell. He no doubt recalls flawed ones like Christine O'Donnell in Delaware, Sharron Then theres John Barrasso, the No. Democrats didn't win a 60-seat Senate majority, so McConnell and other Republican senators retain their ability to block most legislation. Still, should he run, Romney cant expect unified backing from the Senate Republican conference. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), a Trump ally and former college football coach, said McConnell's doing a "good job," shrugging off the former president's scathing criticism of the leader. In terms of his wrestling match with President Trump, thats an issue that I guess will sort itself out over time., Asked if anyone is jockeying behind the scenes for McConnells job, Braun said, theres none of that been exhibited that Ive observed.. Thanks to Democrats' victory, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is lined up to keep setting the agenda instead. Trump briefly urged South Dakota Gov. McConnell made his statement a few days after his top deputy, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D. And Romneys self-deprecating sense of humor stands out in the stuffy chamber. But don't be surprised if the former president tries to secure related commitments from other candidates, which might start to make a difference in 2022. "In terms of his wrestling match with President Trump, that's an issue that I guess will sort itself out over time. 3 Senate GOP leader whom Republicans believe is likely to ascend to the whip job first as Cornyn and Thune compete to succeed McConnell. Johns a cautious man. Both Sens. Theres a very simple answer: Yes. Even so, he may face opposition from his own party if he runs, with Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes the most prominent possibility. Its a unique sort of a race because you know who the voters are, and its not really influenced by outside influences. TWO REPUBLICANS JUMP INTO SENATE RACE IN KEY BATTLEGROUND OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mitch McConnell won't become Senate majority leader. And, what can be accomplished?. ), who backed Scott, gave McConnell credit for acknowledging the concerns raised about his leadership style. Even Sen. Mike Braun (Ind. But McConnells position was never seriously in question going into Wednesdays election. That means Republicans merely need a net gain of one seat to retake the Senate in November's midterms to regain control of the chamber they lost a year ago when they were narrowly swept in Georgias twin Senate runoffs. Thune joined the House of Representatives in 1997 and, after an initial Senate bid in 2002, sent a lightning bolt through Washington when he defeated then-Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle in 2004 in what was the most expensive race of the cycle. Still, even with McConnells term not over until 2026, Republicans know that things can always change and change quickly. But that doesnt mean theyll get the sort of traction they did with Democratic majorities in Congress that generally facilitated centrists work, while usually just a minority of Senate Republicans voted for any bipartisan deals. nears the finish line on new track at Freedom Field, Amazon's Daisy Jones & the Six Is the Latest in a Long Line of Embarrassing Portraits of Musical Genius. The South Dakotan usually sides with his leadership but broke with McConnell and voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill this fall. They dont see what goes on behind the scenes, the organization, the planning, getting people to work together.. Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo, Thune agonized for nearly a year over running again, a choice complicated by former President Donald Trumps attacks on him for dismissing Trumps efforts to challenge Joe Bidens win. ), the No. The 61-year-old once mulled running for president but has committed himself to the Senate after passing on national ambitions. The other GOP senators who did not respond: Sens. It was the most uncharacteristic move for McConnell, said one GOP source close to the Senate Republican leader. It validates him as leader in a really big way. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) CNN contacted the 16 Senate Republicans up for reelection in 2022 on Thursday about whether they still back McConnell and just three responded. The "America First" reference was not accidental: Tshibaka is backed by Donald Trump, who's repeatedly vowed to defeat Murkowski for failing to show him sufficient loyalty. Legal Statement. McConnell confirmed Tuesday hell seek to remain party leader after this falls midterms, no surprise given his goal of surpassing the late Sen. Mike Mansfields record for leadership longevity a year from now. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images. Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MSNBC political contributor. Noem said on Twitter shortly after that Thune was a friend and she would not run against him. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), a Trump ally and former college football coach, said McConnells doing a good job, shrugging off the former presidents scathing criticism of the leader. Hes been a really important part of our conference. Unlike McConnell, Scott has detailed plans to overhaul entitlement programs and has embraced extreme candidates endorsed by Donald Trump. McConnell faces increased opposition from 2022 GOP Senate hopefuls. McConnell was elected to a seventh Senate term in 2020 by a nearly 20-point margin over Democrat Amy McGrath and wont be up for reelection until 2026. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell gives a thumbs-up as he leaves a meeting with Senate Republicans at the Capitol on Nov. 16, 2022. Maura Healey unveils state budget proposal highlighted by free community college. Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Wednesday easily won reelection as Senate GOP leader, fending off a conservative challenge led by Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.). The filing deadline was January 25, 2022. Romneys ultimate decision on reelection will say far more about the state of the Republican Party than any other safe red seat. And I think his running for reelection would be very important, McConnell said. Cornyns power base stems from his time as whip and party committee chair in 2010 and 2012 as well as his continued fundraising prowess for the party and handy reelection win in 2020 after Democrats tried to make Texas a battleground state. And it frightened independent and moderate Republican voters, McConnell said of the midterm election losses on Tuesday. Sen. John Thune touts GOP victories as 'response to the Biden agenda', New Orleans mayor recall organizers score deal that could lower signature requirement, Jeffries warns against 'xenophobic activity' from 'MAGA Republicans' as House China Select Committee kicks off, Sen. Mike Lee suspended by Twitter, 'seeking answers', Massachusetts Gov. | Samuel Corum/Getty Images Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost. THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. Weather Forecast From Politico: Utahs voters are near evenly split over whether Romney should run again yet a Romney reelection is important to McConnell to demonstrate the partys appeal goes beyond Trump, even as the former presidents critics vanish from the congressional GOP. Roy Blunt of Missouri, Rob Portman of Ohio, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Richard Burr of North Carolina and Richard Shelby of Alabama are opting to step down rather than run again in 2022. But thats a decision Ill make., Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) arrives at the U.S. Capitol on April 25, 2022. I do, Scott said when asked if he stands by supporting McConnell as leader. He listened and was receptive to the folks that he knows probably voted against him. He has been involved in a lot of different issues. President Trump is well liked up here, Clary said. Both senators said their most important election right now is this November, when they have a real shot at taking back the majority. 2 Senate GOP leader and likely successor to Republican leader Mitch McConnell, has announced he will run for reelection in 2022, putting an end to the speculation about the South Dakota senator's political future. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. I think he does a good job, he said. Then senator said, "I never rule anything out" but quickly added that "it's not something at this point that I aspire to. But when the 79-year-old lawmaker from Kentucky eventually steps down, Thune, as his current deputy, seemingly has the most direct path to succeed McConnell. And though she said Cornyn and Barrasso would do a very good job, shes one of the few GOP senators willing to weigh in on the shadow leadership race. Thune has kept a tight lid on his thinking about his own reelection bid for months, despite routine peppering by reporters about whether he was running again in 2022. Follow her on Twitter: @morganwatkins26. Watch live: Biden delivers remarks on Secretary of Labor nominee Julie Su, Schumer, Jeffries ask Murdoch to stop Fox hosts lying about 2020 election, Republicans vow to block Biden FAA pick as Democrats double down, Christie: Trump grand jury foreperson did a lot of damage to case, McCarthy, GOP pump brakes on release of Jan. 6 footage to Tucker Carlson, China, Belarus call for cease-fire, negotiations in Ukraine, Bill Maher: I am afraid of Trump on a very personal level, Two more House Republicans call for home-state Rep. Santos to be ousted, Watch live: Garland testifies before Senate panel at oversight hearing, Zero-calorie sweetener popular in keto diets linked to strokes, heart attacks, Senate group wades into tough talks on Social Security. McConnell said in an interview that hes absolutely willing to do the same for Romney, and is pushing his colleague for another bid. Anybody who wants to run for it can feel free to do so. Trump successfully chilled FBI from being willing to investigate anything What Bidens FHA mortgage fee cut means for buyers. Roy Blunt (R-Mo. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. "I think he does a good job," he said. Eric Greitens, another Republican Senate hopeful in 2022, also said a few months ago that he wouldn't support McConnell, either. Romney, and is pushing his colleague for another bid Journal: Mitch McConnell a. Of his wrestling match with president Trump is well liked up here, Clary said democrats ',... | 202-628-8503 FAX who did not respond: Sens will say far more about the state the... For it can feel free to do the same for Romney, and is his! Uncharacteristic move for McConnell, said one GOP source close to the Senate Republican.! Gives a thumbs-up as he leaves a meeting with Senate Republicans at the Capitol on 16! Bill this fall did not respond: Sens Nov. 16, 2022 |! 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