Senate Majority Leader John Thune campaigns to hold GOP's Senate majority
The gist
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is touring battleground states to defend Republicans' 53-seat majority ahead of the Nov.
His own leadership post is voted on Nov. 10, days after the results.
How it unfolded
- Nov 13, 2024South Dakota Senator John Thune is elected by Senate Republicans as their top lawmaker, succeeding Mitch McConnell.
- Feb 4, 2026Thune says he is "not in favor" of federalizing elections, a day after President Donald Trump said Republicans "ought to nationalize the voting."
- Oct 5, 2026Thune campaigns in southern Minnesota with Republican nominee Michele Tafoya, visiting a farm in Le Sueur and calling Minnesota "a very unique race."