Meet the Members of the Senate GOP Leadership Team

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) won the three-way election for Senate majority leader on Nov. 13, along with the Republican conference’s other five leadership picks.

Currently serving as the minority whip and the second-ranking Senate Republican, Thune was a top contender to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as the GOP leader.

Thune, a South Dakotan, competed against two other senators for the top position in a secret ballot election.

After Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) was eliminated in the first round of voting, Thune defeated Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) with a 29–24 vote.

Joining the new leadership team will be Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) as majority whip, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) as Republican conference chair, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) as Republican Policy Committee chair, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) as Republican conference vice chair, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) as National Republican Senatorial Committee chair.

These senators will assume their new roles in January.

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Thune, at 63, is only the second South Dakotan to ever hold four terms in the U.S. Senate.

He initially served in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996, had three terms there, and then was unsuccessful in his first Senate bid in 2002. However, he ran again two years later and became the first person in 52 years to beat a sitting Senate leader.

Aside from his current role as whip, which he’s had since 2019, he previously served as the Senate Republican Policy Committee chair and the Senate Republican Conference chair.

Following McConnell’s announcement in February that he’d step down as the GOP leader, many expected Thune, as his deputy, to run for the position.

Thune faced challenges due to his strained relationship with President-elect Donald Trump.

The senator criticized Trump’s efforts to contest the 2020 election results, calling them “inexcusable.”

Many believed Rick Scott, a Trump supporter, was the candidate closest to the president-elect’s policies.

Thune and Barrasso

Thune seemed to mend ties with Trump while campaigning for Republican leader. He visited the former president at Mar-a-Lago and had frequent phone conversations with him.

During the leadership election press conference, Thune stated that the new team was united in executing Trump’s agenda.

Thune pledged to represent “the entire Republican conference” and work on Trump’s priorities to rectify the current situation left by the Biden-Harris-Schumer agenda.

Barrasso will succeed Thune as the No. 2 leader in the Republican conference in January.

He ran uncontested for the position, which involves rallying party members for voting and quorum calls, and may serve as acting leader when needed.

Barrasso has been the GOP conference chair and the third-ranking Republican for the past six years. First elected to the Senate in 2007, he comfortably won a fourth term on Nov. 5.

Having received Trump’s endorsement for reelection and the role of Republican whip, Barrasso has a positive relationship with the president-elect.

“Millions chose a new president who puts America first. We chose a president who values our freedom, not the heavy hand of Washington bureaucrats.

“We chose a president who will unleash American energy, secure the border, lower prices, and restore peace through strength,” Barrasso stated.

“President Trump’s agenda runs through the Republican-led United States Senate. Working together, we will deliver for the American people.” 

Cotton Secures New Role

Cotton defeated Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) to secure his new role in the only contested race outside the majority leader election.

Cotton, recognized as a skilled communicator, will oversee the conference’s messaging as chair. The two-term senator will also become the third-ranking Republican in the chamber.

At the GOP leadership press conference, Cotton expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support and committed to cooperating with the president-elect and House Republicans to restore the country to the status quo under President Trump.

Ernst’s loss means she will lose her position on the GOP leadership team after leading the Republican Policy Committee for the past two years.

Moore Capito Promotion

Moore Capito ran unopposed for the No. 4 position on the Republican leadership team.

This victory signifies a promotion for the senator and former educator from her current role as vice chair of the Republican Policy Committee.

As chair, she will organize the conference’s weekly policy luncheon for policy discussions and debates.

“We must defend our values, strengthen our nation, and bring prosperity to those who are currently struggling,” Lankford stated in an X post.

“I am enthusiastic about collaborating with this leadership team, President Trump, and Vice President Vance to get our nation back on track. Let’s get to work!”

This new position represents a bright moment in an otherwise challenging year for Lankford. The Oklahoman led negotiations for the GOP on the Senate’s unsuccessful border security bill, which faced criticism from many fellow Republicans.

Tim Scott

After withdrawing from the Republican presidential primary last year, Tim Scott endorsed Trump for the nomination over fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley.

He campaigned with Trump and was on the candidate’s shortlist for vice president. When Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) was chosen for the position, there were expectations that Scott might seek another role in the upcoming Trump administration.

While a potential appointment is still on the table, Scott expressed being “honored” to lead the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s efforts in maintaining and expanding the Republican majority in 2026.

“Donald J. Trump demonstrated that when we fight with truth everywhere, we are victorious. Thus, we must secure a Republican Senate throughout the Trump administration’s four years, and that work begins today!”

Scott will succeed Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) as the chair.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.