South Dakota Sen. John Thune prevails in Senate majority leader vote

Four-term senator will lead Senate at start of Donald Trump's new term

South Dakota Sen. John Thune will be the next leader of the U.S. Senate Republican caucus following a secret-ballot election of the chamber’s GOP members.

Thune, who will be 64 in January, succeeds Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, the longest serving Senate leader in history.

“I am extremely honored to have earned the support of my colleagues to lead the Senate in the 119th Congress, and I am beyond proud of the work we have done to secure our majority and the White House,” Thune said in a statement provided to The Dakota Scout. “This Republican team is united behind President Trump’s agenda, and our work starts today.”

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