Blaze News investigates: Replacing McConnell: The race to become the next Senate Republican leader



Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who has served as either Senate minority or majority leader since 2007, announced earlier this year that his current term as Senate Republican leader will be his last.

So far, three GOP senators have indicated that they would like to take on the role: John Cornyn of Texas, John Thune of South Dakota, and Rick Scott of Florida.

"The Johns have all of the backing traditionally within the GOP caucus, but Rick Scott is an interesting guy," Blaze Media senior politics editor and D.C. correspondent Christopher Bedford told Blaze News, noting that Scott is "very wealthy independently and doesn't need the job of senator and is extremely frustrated with the pace of Washington."

Scott, who served as Florida governor for eight years before entering the Senate in 2019, unsuccessfully challenged McConnell for the Senate Republican leader post in 2022 but lost in a 37-10 vote.

'These old establishment Republicans have had their day.'

Scott has suggested that there are "two Republican Parties in America."

"One is in Washington. It's a tired, old, Republican party led by establishment insiders. It is out of touch, not only with our problems but with our people. It cuts deals with Chuck Schumer. It has secret votes and secret agendas. It's the 'go along to get along' crowd," Scott said, according to a press release.

"There is another Republican Party, a real Republican Party outside of Washington," he declared. "It's the one that's tired of being sold out, tired of being thrown under the bus, tired of the Washington status quo. It's the one that supports Donald Trump, instead of undermining him all the time. These old establishment Republicans have had their day. It's time for a change and a fresh, new approach. We can fix all of our country's problems. I'm confident about that. But first, we Republicans need to clean up our own house in Washington. More of the same won't cut it. That's why I am running for reelection to the U.S. Senate and for Republican Leader."

'Rand Paul would be incredible, but we can't have nice things.'

While Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has not announced a bid for the Senate GOP leader role, back in March he tweeted, "Thousands of people have been asking if I'd run for Senate leadership..."

Paul ran a poll on X asking, "Who would you like to be the next Senate leader?" The poll offered three choices: Paul, Thune, and Cornyn — and Paul earned over 96% of the more than 178,000 votes.

— (@)

"John Cornyn and John Thune are complete corporatist RINO pukes that are basically younger, less effective, and far less shrewd versions of McConnell," BlazeTV host Steve Deace asserted in a statement to Blaze News.

"They represent all the things about McConnell you hated, and none of the few things you liked. Scott has largely been an empty suit as a Senator thus far, but I am confident he would literally do anything a President Trump wanted so we could live with that. Now, if there's no President Trump after this election, then Scott isn't much better than the aforementioned Johns. Rand Paul would be incredible, but we can't have nice things," Deace added.

Cornyn, who has been serving in the Senate for more than two decades, said in a statement that the institution is "broken."

"I am asking my Republican colleagues to give me the opportunity to succeed Leader McConnell," Cornyn said in the statement. "I believe the Senate is broken — that is not news to anyone. The good news is that it can be fixed, and I intend to play a major role in fixing it. From experience, I have learned what works in the Senate and what does not, and I am confident Senate Republicans can restore our institution to the essential role it serves in our constitutional republic."

"We will improve communication, increase transparency, and ensure inclusion of every Member’s expertise and opinion. We will restore the important role of Senate committees and reestablish the regular appropriations process, rather than lurch from one crisis to another. And we will return power back to our members; there will be no more backroom deals or forced votes on bills without adequate time for review, debate, and amendment," Cornyn noted.

Cornyn served as Senate Republican Whip prior to Thune, who currently serves in that role.

Thune, who has served as a senator for more than 19 years, has indicated that he hopes to become Senate Republican leader.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Sen. John Thune hopes to succeed McConnell as Senate GOP leader



Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota has indicated that he is hoping to become Senate GOP leader.

Asked whether he wants to become Senate majority or minority leader, Thune indicated to KELOLAND News that he does hope to serve in the leadership post.

— (@)

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has been serving as either Senate minority leader or Senate majority leader since 2007, has announced that his current term as Senate GOP leader will be his last in the leadership post.

Thune, who has been serving in the Senate for more than 19 years, is currently Senate Republican whip.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas is also aiming to succeed McConnell.

Like McConnell, Cornyn and Thune were among the group of Senate Republicans who last month voted in favor of a measure that would, in part, provide for the U.S. to supply additional aid to Ukraine.

Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, who unsuccessfully challenged McConnell for the leadership role in 2022, said in a statement issued last week, "I have been very clear and have long believed that we need new leadership in the Senate that represents our voters and the issues we were sent here to fight for. As everyone knows, I challenged Leader McConnell in 2022. This is an opportunity to refocus our efforts on solving the significant challenges facing our country and actually reflect the aspirations of voters."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Cornyn wants to succeed McConnell as Senate GOP leader; RFK Jr. names who he thinks 'would be an incredible successor'



GOP Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who has been in office for more than two decades, has thrown his hat into the ring to serve as the next Senate Republican leader.

"I am asking my Republican colleagues to give me the opportunity to succeed Leader McConnell," Cornyn said in a statement. "We will restore the important role of Senate committees and reestablish the regular appropriations process, rather than lurch from one crisis to another. And we will return power back to our members; there will be no more backroom deals or forced votes on bills without adequate time for review, debate, and amendment. I am ready to get to work and look forward to continuing to engage with my colleagues."

— (@)

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky announced on Wednesday that his current term as Senate GOP leader post will be his last, though he indicated that he plans to continue serving in the Senate as a lawmaker.

"Our friend from Kentucky is a rare example of what a public servant should be: pragmatic, knowledgeable, humble, and effective. He has led the Senate through difficult periods, and I am grateful for his dedicated service to our country and this institution," Cornyn said in a post on X.

Like McConnell, Cornyn was one of the Senate Republicans who earlier this month voted in favor of a measure that would, in part, provide for additional U.S. assistance to Ukraine. "This legislation replenishes our military stockpiles and addresses the biggest national security threats we face, from Hamas' horrific attacks on Israel to China's aggression in the Indo-Pacific to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine," Cornyn said in a statement.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who mounted a bid for the Democratic presidential nomination last year before later switching to run as an independent, has suggested that Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky would be a good pick to fill the Senate GOP leader role.

"It's time to promote leaders in Washington, DC who won't kowtow to the military contractors or push us deeper into foreign conflicts," Kennedy tweeted. "We need representation who will prioritize American wellness over all else. I believe @RandPaul would be an incredible successor. He's shown great judgment and has the grit to put hardworking Americans first."

— (@)

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Rick Scott challenges Mitch McConnell for Senate Republican leader role, says the conference should 'be far more bold and resolute'



Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida is mounting a bid to challenge Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for the position of Senate GOP leader.

"I'm writing to you today because I believe it's time for the Senate Republican Conference to be far more bold and resolute than we have been in the past. We must start saying what we are for, not just what we are against," Scott wrote in a letter to colleagues that has been posted by Fox News.

\u201cThe status quo is broken and big change is needed. It's time for new leadership in the Senate that unites Republicans to advance a bold conservative agenda.\n\nThat's why I'm running to be the Senate Republican Leader.\nhttps://t.co/B0rdMuR64Z\u201d
— Rick Scott (@Rick Scott) 1668543943

"We know that chief among our problems in races across America was a lack of Republican voter turnout. There may be many reasons for that, but after travelling the country to support our candidates I believe voters want a plan. They are begging us to tell them what we will do when we are in charge. Unfortunately, we have continued to elect leadership who refuses to do that and elicits attacks on anyone that does. That is clearly not working and it’s time for bold change," he wrote.

Scott, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, made multiple pledges about how he would handle the role if elected to serve as Senate GOP leader, some of which included that he will never ask legislators to vote on a measure they have not had a chance to review and that he will never push them to vote in a manner that goes against the best interest of their state or the platform on which they ran for office .

"I will work tirelessly to help elect all Republican Senators, whether they are likely to support me or not," Scott wrote. "I will never surprise you with legislation and ask that you vote on something you haven’t had an opportunity to review," he noted. "I will lead the conference in developing a positive, aspirational agenda that outlines our legislative goals and what Senate Republicans stand for," he pledged. "I will never pressure you to vote in a way that is counter to what you campaigned on or not in the best interests of your state."

Democrats will maintain control of the U.S. Senate next year, so the Senate GOP leader will be the Senate minority leader rather than the Senate majority leader.

McConnell, a lawmaker from Kentucky who has served in the Senate chamber for more than three decades, has been either the Senate minority leader or majority leader since 2007.

Former President Donald Trump has been a strong critic of McConnell, referring to him in September as a "lapdog" for Democrats and an "absolute Loser ... who folds every time against the Democrats." In another statement, Trump exclaimed, "McConnell is so bad!"

DITCH MITCH? Why McConnell has 'GOT TO GO'



Glenn Beck on Monday tore into Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) for allocating $7 million from the Senate Leadership Fund to Alaska — a race that would "go to a Republican either way" — instead of the Arizona Senate race, saying "if there's one person who's responsible for the Democrats keeping control of the Senate, it's McConnell."

As McConnell pushes to hold an election for Republican leadership as soon as possible, several Republican senators are calling for the postponement of internal leadership elections, which are currently slated to occur this week even though several races still don't have winners.

"Mitch McConnell has got to go," Glenn stated. "Why did [he] put so much money in the Murkowski [R-Alaska] race when we knew it was going to be a Republican either way? ... We all know why he did that. He did that because he wanted to make sure he had Murkowski, who would kowtow to him. [...] We also know why he didn't put money into [Arizona Republican candidate] Blake Masters, who could've won that race. He didn't put any money there because he knew Blake Masters wouldn't kowtow," he added.

Glenn went on to suggest it's time for each of us to call our state's Republican senators and make it clear that if they plan to vote for Mitch, they can plan on not having your vote when the next election rolls around.

"Let's see who's on the side of Mitch McConnell, who's a member of the Mitch's B***hes Club ... who is it that will actually stand with this guy, because ... he was instrumental in getting nothing done. Nothing," he said. "Mitch McConnell and his ilk are going to be exactly the same as they have always been."

Watch the video clip below to hear more from Glenn. Can't watch? Download the podcast here.


Want more from Glenn Beck?

To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.