Senator Barrasso Opts Out of Attempting to Replace McConnell

Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., has chosen not to run for outgoing Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.’s position and instead will compete to become the new GOP whip, as reported by multiple outlets on Tuesday.

Per Punchbowl News, Barrasso’s decision was first reported. Politico also confirmed that Barrasso, currently the No. 3 Republican in the Senate, is informing his colleagues about this choice.

On Monday, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., announced his intention to succeed McConnell, with Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas also throwing his hat in the ring last week, a day after McConnell revealed that this would be his last term as the Republican leader in the Senate.

According to the reports, Barrasso is almost guaranteed to become the GOP whip, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, as both Thune and Cornyn are term-limited out of the role. Whip also includes a security detail and a better office, as per Politico.

Barrasso is term-limited out of his role as conference chair. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., mentioned in an interview on Tuesday that he plans to run to succeed Barrasso. On the other hand, Republican Policy Committee Chair Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, currently the No. 4 Senate Republican, has not indicated whether she will pursue another position or stay in her current role, according to Politico.

Barrasso’s decision not to replace McConnell could create an opportunity for another conservative candidate to enter the race against Cornyn and Thune. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., has reportedly been encouraged by former President Donald Trump to run. Meanwhile, there are speculations that Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who met with Trump on Monday, might challenge for the top post.

Scott’s Trump-supported attempt to replace McConnell in 2022 ended in a 37-10 defeat.

Last week, Trump stated that there are “a lot of good choices” to succeed McConnell.

Senate Republicans will vote for a new leader in November, and the successor will take over for McConnell in January 2025. McConnell has declared his intention to continue as a regular Republican until his term ends in 2026.