Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) has endorsed Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as Republican leader in the Senate.
“I will be voting for my colleague from Florida, @ScottforFlorida, to be the next Senate Republican Leader,” Rubio posted on the social platform X.
The race is between Scott, Republican Sen. John Thune (D-S.D.), and Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), who served as Senate Republican whip during the first two years of President-elect Trump’s White House tenure.
Scott, whose attempt to replace the outgoing Senate leader is not seen as an easy task, has gained momentum among some of Trump’s allies recently after his victory helped boost Republicans’ chances in the Senate.
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) supported Scott’s candidacy for Republican leader in a post Saturday, writing, “This new majority leader should be able to work with President Trump to advance the America First agenda.” .”
Thune encouraged the president-elect to stay out of the leadership race and not place his thumb on the scales one way or the other.
National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Steve Daines (D-Monte) told colleagues before the election that he planned to support Thune in the race to replace McConnell, according to people familiar with the private conversations. But his official spokesman said the senator would have more to say after the election.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) endorsed Thune in an interview with NewsNation’s Chris Stirewalt on Sunday, saying, “I’ve known John Thune since the 1980s. He’s going to be a great leader.” ”
“But the good thing for Republicans is that they have three really great individuals vying for the top job as majority leader. So, I can’t say anything bad about the other two candidates, but I think John Thune is the real winner,” Rounds added.
