Thune wins secret ballot to become new Senate GOP leader, succeeding McConnell
Fox News
After receiving a majority of conference votes, the newly selected leader will assume the role in January.
Sources told Fox News Digital that no candidate reached a majority during the first secret ballot in the old Senate chamber on Wednesday morning. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., received the least amount of votes and was knocked out of the race. The second secret ballot was between only Thune and Cornyn. Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.
Thune received 29 votes and Cornyn got 24 on the second ballot, according to Thune’s office. Follow Julia's reporting on X at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.