One of These Men Is Likely to Lead the Senate Under Trump

President-elect Donald Trump has been vocal about doing things differently in his second administration, starting with securing a loyal Senate majority leader.

Trump has said his biggest mistake during his first term was trusting "bad or disloyal people." With much of the old GOP guard gone from Capitol Hill, Trump is now closely watching the three-way race for Senate majority leader and weighing whether to endorse a candidate who won't be a "thorn in his side."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's retirement has set the stage for a shake-up, as the candidates bring differing approaches to their alignment with Trump and his agenda, with the contenders already actively courting Trump and seeking his endorsement

Two of McConnell's key allies—Senate Minority Whip John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 2 Senate Republican, and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a former Whip—along with Sen. Rick Scott, a conservative from Trump's home state of Florida, are all competing to lead the Senate following the Republicans' decisive win in last week's election.

Senators John Cornyn, John Thune, and Rick Scott are contenders in the three-way race for Senate majority leader as President-elect Donald Trump considers endorsing one of them to secure a loyal leadership in the Senate. Getty Images

Either of "the Johns" — Thune or Cornyn — would bring extensive leadership backgrounds and GOP connections to the leadership post, and either would be an establishment choice to succeed McConnell. However, both have clashed with Trump in the past and have spent this year mending ties with the former—and now future—president.

But Scott, a loyal Trump ally and former Florida governor, has been the most vocal in courting Trump's endorsement, advancing a pro-Trump agenda that includes sidestepping traditional Senate procedures to expedite Trump's Cabinet nominations.

John Thune: The Established Insider

Senator John Thune, the Senate minority whip from South Dakota, is seen as a front-runner thanks to his leadership experience and deep connections within the GOP. However, Thune's past criticisms of Trump—particularly around the events of January 6, 2021, among other contentious issues—make him a difficult candidate for Trump loyalists to embrace.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) (L) listens alongside Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) (R) during a news conference following the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on September 10, 2024... Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

A recently resurfaced video highlights the challenges Thune may face, as he is heard criticizing Trump's influence on the Republican Party, stating he would have preferred a "different nominee" to lead the GOP in 2024.

Despite their differences, Thune has taken steps to build rapport with Trump since he became the nominee, meeting him at Mar-a-Lago earlier this year and working to align on key Republican priorities. Thune has emphasized that Senate leadership elections should stay within the Senate, telling CNBC that while Trump holds considerable influence, "These Senate secret ballot elections are probably best left to senators."

Thune's broad appeal to mainstream Republicans and his rapprochement with Trump could make him a bridge between the party's factions.

John Cornyn: The Pragmatic Veteran

Senator John Cornyn of Texas, a former whip who has worked closely with Thune, is another seasoned candidate with a deep understanding of the Senate's machinery. Like Thune, Cornyn has occasionally had an uneasy relationship with Trump, previously suggesting that Trump "can't win in 2024."

However, when it became apparent that Trump could indeed win, Cornyn demonstrated more of a willingness to support the president-elect, joining him at several rallies and highlighting their past collaboration on significant GOP legislative victories, including Trump's 2017 tax cuts.

Senator John Cornyn speaks to reporters outside of the Senate Chambers during a vote at the U.S. Capitol on June 20, 2024, in Washington, DC. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Cornyn's broad network and influence are substantial, and his moderate stance could appeal to both Trump-aligned and more traditional Republican senators who prioritize stable governance.

Rick Scott: The Trump Loyalist

Senator Rick Scott, the wealthy former governor of Florida and longtime Trump ally, is positioning himself as the most pro-Trump candidate in the leadership race. He has committed to prioritizing Trump's agenda over traditional Senate norms, even suggesting he would support rule changes allowing Trump to make swift Cabinet appointments.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) speaks on stage on the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 16, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Following the 2024 election, Donald Trump allies... Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Scott has directly appealed for Trump's endorsement, emphasizing his dedication to Trump's vision. "I'm doing everything I can to make sure his agenda gets accomplished," Scott recently told Fox Business. His unwavering loyalty to Trump has won endorsements from prominent Trump supporters like Senators Mike Lee and Marco Rubio, making Scott the clear choice for those wanting a more assertive GOP approach under Trump's second administration.

Trump is, for now at least, staying out the Senate leadership jockeying. Politico reported Monday, citing two Trump insiders, that the president-elect would not make an endorsement ahead of Wednesday's Senate vote. Instead, he declared that anyone who wants the leadership position must support recess appointments to ensure his Cabinet picks are confirmed quickly.

Thune, Cornyn and Scott all quickly agreed.