John Thune was elected majority leader of a Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday, succeeding Mitch McConnell.

Known for his friendly, traditional Midwestern persona, Thune won a tight race against Senators John Cornyn and Rick Scott, with Trump allies backing Scott.

Thune’s victory came after hours of private questioning from his colleagues about how he would handle Trump’s agenda.

He promised to support Trump’s Cabinet nominees and protect the legislative filibuster, positioning himself as a departure from McConnell’s leadership style, Semafor has reported.

Despite his past support for one of Trump’s rivals in 2024, Thune’s close relationships within the Senate helped him secure the leadership role.

Written by B.C. Begley