John Thune Seeks Senate Minority Leader Role After GOP Loses at Least 5 Seats

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 4

John Thune plans to run for Senate minority leader after Republicans lost control of the chamber and dropped at least five seats in Tuesday's midterms.
The losses reached into Republican strongholds including South Carolina and Texas, as Donald Trump's falling approval ratings were hit by criticism over Iran, immigration enforcement and high gas prices.
Thune defended the GOP's two-year Senate record, citing tax, border, Cabinet and judicial wins, but it is still unclear whether he will face a challenger.
Critics inside the party say the Senate failed to deliver key Trump priorities such as the SAVE America Act, and one source tied weak turnout to the chamber's light schedule of 217 days in 2025 and 148 in 2026.
That internal backlash could shape the leadership race, with Trump allies such as Mike Lee mentioned as possible alternatives if Republicans seek a sharper break after the defeat.