Political heavyweights partake in pressure campaign for GOP Senate leader



Although most U.S. senators are tight lipped ahead of the vote for Republican leader, many influential figures online are starting to put their thumb on the scale.

Republican Sens. John Thune of South Dakota, John Cornyn of Texas, and Rick Scott of Florida are going head-to-head in the race to replace Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday. As of now, only nine senators have made public endorsements.

Despite this uptick in support for Scott, President-elect Donald Trump has not yet endorsed any candidate, and it is unclear if he plans to.

Thune has secured the backing of Republican Sens. Steve Daines of Montana, Mike Rounds of South Dakota, and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma. Cornyn has so far gained one endorsement, from Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri.

Scott has the largest public backing, with Republican Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Marco Rubio from Florida, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama.

Unlike his competitors, big players outside of D.C. have also come to bat for Scott.

Over the weekend, Scott racked up endorsements from politicos and media personalities like Tucker Carlson, Elon Musk, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Vivek Ramaswamay, and Charlie Kirk.

"What the hell is going on in the US Senate?" Carlson asked in a post on X. "Hours after Donald Trump wins the most conclusive mandate in 40 years, Mitch McConnell engineers a coup against his agenda by calling early leadership elections in the senate. Two of the three candidates hate Trump and what he ran on."

"One of them, John Cornyn, is an angry liberal whose politics are indistinguishable from Liz Cheney’s," Carlson continued. "The election is Wednesday, it’s by secret ballot, and it will determine whether or not the new administration succeeds. Rick Scott of Florida is the only candidate who agrees with Donald Trump. Call your senator and demand a public endorsement of Rick Scott. Don’t let McConnell get away with it again."

Despite this uptick in support for Scott, President-elect Donald Trump has not yet endorsed any candidate, and it is unclear if he plans to. At the same time, Trump has put forth a standard he expects the senators to follow, should they be elected leader.

On Sunday, Trump declared that any Republican leader must support recess appointments, which would allow the president to appoint an individual to a federal office without a Senate confirmation. This would greatly reduce the glacial pace of Senate confirmations and strengthen Trump's ability to staff federal offices with candidates of his choosing.

That being said, Republicans are fairly insulated from external pressures throughout this process. For one thing, on Tuesday, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah is set to hold a forum behind closed doors where the three candidates can privately make their pitches to their conference. The morning after, the Republican conference will vote for the GOP leader with secret ballots.

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How Tim Scott plans to capitalize on GOP Senate gains



Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina announced that he is running to chair the National Republican Senatorial Committee that serves as the Senate GOP's campaign arm.

Scott, who has been a longtime ally to President-elect Donald Trump, was rumored to be eyeing the position last month, confirming his ambitions in a statement Friday. Scott's announcement follows the GOP's Senate sweep where Republicans flipped seats in Montana, West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

"Let's do this!" Scott said in a statement. "I'm running for NRSC Chair because two years of a Republican agenda is good, but four years of success under Donald J. Trump is even better."

'Tim's inspiring message, record of fundraising and vision for the party makes him the perfect partner for President Trump.'

"That means the entire four years of his presidency will create low inflation, secure borders and safe streets, leading to a generation of American prosperity!" Scott continued. "With Donald J. Trump in the White House and Republicans leading the U.S. Senate, we will protect our majority in 2026 and create opportunities for all Americans."

Scott, who had presidential ambitions this cycle, also received some high-profile endorsements alongside his announcement, including current NRSC chairman Sen. Steve Daines of Montana.

"We took back the U.S. Senate in 2024, and there is no one I trust more to protect the majority in 2026 than Tim Scott," Daines said in a statement.

Scott was also backed by Republican colleagues like Senate GOP Conference Chairman John Barrasso and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

"Tim's inspiring message, record of fundraising and vision for the party makes him the perfect partner for President Trump," Barasso said. "Together, they will protect and grow the Republican majority. There's nobody better than Tim Scott."

"Protecting the majority and growing the party starts with a vision and the resources to compete anywhere," Rubio said. "That is why I'm confident in Tim leading the NRSC in 2026."

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With McConnell MIA, His Potential Replacements Step In To Bolster Battleground Republicans

With McConnell MIA, His Potential Replacements Step In To Bolster Battleground Republicans

The Road to a Republican Senate

Republican chances of winning control of the U.S. Senate improved Wednesday when a Washington Post poll showed Larry Hogan (R., Md.) trouncing his potential Democratic opponents by double digits. The popular former governor, known for his independence and common sense, has been supporting Israel as his Democratic rivals squabble for left-wing votes. Though Hogan remains the underdog to replace retiring Sen. Ben Cardin (D.), his successful record and unique profile will force Democrats to play defense in a blue state that they normally would be expected to win without breaking a sweat.

The post The Road to a Republican Senate appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.

Trump-backed Kari Lake scores endorsements from Rand Paul and others as she seeks US Senate seat



Kari Lake, who is running in a U.S. Senate primary in Arizona, has received the endorsements of GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, and National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman Sen. Steve Daines, a Republican from Montana.

"Kari Lake will go to DC to shake things up, and that's exactly the kind of leadership that Arizona needs in the United States Senate. I am proud to endorse Kari Lake for the United States Senate because she has the policies, the drive, and desire to defeat the Washington War Machine and restore American liberties," Paul noted, according to the Daily Caller.

"Kari Lake is MAGA to her core and cannot be bought by the establishment. I am proud to endorse her for the United States Senate in Arizona. I am very much look forward to watching her shake up the halls of power," Gaetz noted, according to the outlet.

Daines described Lake as "one of the most talented candidates in the country."

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Former President Donald Trump endorsed Lake for U.S. Senate last year.

Lake lost Arizona's 2022 gubernatorial election, but has claimed that she actually won that contest. Trump also endorsed Lake for governor, backing her well ahead of the Republican gubernatorial primary in the state

"I am so thankful to have the endorsement of America First warriors Senator @RandPaul and Rep. @mattgaetz. They are champions for fiscal responsibility, liberty, and fighting against the Washington War machine. I look forward to working with them to implement President Trump's agenda!" Lake tweeted on Monday.

Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb is also running in the 2024 GOP U.S. Senate primary in Arizona.

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