FIRST ON FOX: A source close to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told Fox News Digital that the South Dakota Republican intends to run for Senate minority leader following the GOP’s sweeping defeat in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
Thune is expected to seek the leadership position despite Republicans losing at least five seats in the upper chamber, including contests in traditionally Republican strongholds such as South Carolina and Texas.
The losses came amid declining approval ratings for President Donald Trump, whose administration faced criticism over the war in Iran, immigration enforcement operations and high gas prices in the months leading up to the election.
Following the defeat â which saw the Senate margins not only flip, but also widen â Thune defended Senate Republicans’ legislative record over the past two years.
The GOP conference has “put up a strong record of accomplishment that’s created safer streets, more money in Americans’ pockets, and new opportunities for families and businesses to get ahead,” Thune wrote on social media.
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The also highlighted Republicans’ efforts to advance Trump’s legislative and judicial priorities despite Democratic opposition.
“After fighting Democrat obstruction at every turn, we prevented the largest tax hike in American history, secured our border in an unprecedented way, confirmed the president’s Cabinet at the fastest pace in two decades, and put strong conservative judges on benches across the country faster than we have since the Reagan administration,” Thune wrote.
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Earlier this year, Thune also faced criticism from Trump and House Republicans over the Senate’s failure to advance key legislation championed by the president, including the SAVE America Act.
The election integrity legislation passed the House of Representatives three times in 2026 but stalled in the Senate, where the chamber’s 60-vote threshold to overcome a filibuster prevented Republicans from advancing the measure.
It remains unclear whether Thune will face a challenger for the Senate Republican leadership position.
Another source close to the Republican majority in the Senate told Fox News Digital that Thune’s ambition might land him serious backlash, adding that the conference d
