Thune plans to run for Republican minority leader after Dem's midterm takeover

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.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks to reporters outside the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

Following the defeat — which saw the Senate margins not only flip, but also widen — 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 majority leader 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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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., is interviewed by FOX News Channel's Bret Baier outside the West Wing of the White House, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington. ((AP Photo/Alex Brandon))

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.

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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 did not deliver on key promises of the president's agenda which could have hurt Republican voter turnout in the midterm elections.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune , R-SD, speaks with Senator Tim Scott R-S.C., and Senator Jon Husted R-Ohio, ahead of a press conference on the "SAVE America Act" on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 21, 2026. (REUTERS/Nathan Howard)

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The source pointed to the fact that the upper chamber was only in session for 217 days in 2025, and 148 in 2026, as a reason for record low approval of the chamber ratings among Republican voters that hurt voter turnout on Tuesday.

The source hinted that outspoken allies of the president in the chamber, such as Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, could emerge as good alternatives.