After Midterm Massacre, 7 GOP Senators Move to Delay Thune Coronation Vote
Push to postpone the vote
Seven members are pressing to delay the Senate Republican leadership election, according to Axios. The vote is scheduled for Tuesday in the Old Senate Chamber, the Washington Times reported.
Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin is leading the effort and gathered the five signatures required to request a full conference meeting, The Hill reported. Ted Budd, Rick Scott, Mike Lee and John Kennedy also signed his letter, Axios reported.
Johnson calls for review
Johnson described Tuesday’s expected result as a “stunning defeat” in his letter, according to The Hill. He has also called a rushed vote “political malpractice,” the Federalist reported, and wants Republicans to assess what went wrong before selecting a leadership team.
Speaking to a Washington Examiner reporter Monday, Johnson said he would leave the room if the election proceeded. In a post on X, he said an election loss of that scale required change.
Other senators seek more time
Sen. Jim Banks said the party needs to choose its Senate leadership, but that the next day was too soon, Bloomberg reported. He said Republicans should confront their failures before deciding who will lead them.
Sen. Dave McCormick made a similar call a day earlier. The article identifies seven members seeking a delay but names only Johnson, Budd, Scott, Lee, Kennedy, Banks and McCormick.
Thune faces no challenger
Thune is running unopposed and has left the decision about a delay to his colleagues, the Washington Times reported. He said he was unsure whether postponing the vote would accomplish anything. Thune is set to become minority leader when Democrats take control in January.
Key points
- Seven Republicans are seeking to delay Tuesday’s leadership election.
- Ron Johnson is leading the effort and wants a review of the party’s losses.
- Jim Banks and Dave McCormick have also called for more time.
- John Thune is unopposed and is set to become minority leader in January.