Current Republican Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) will be the next Senate Majority Leader, becoming the successor to longest-serving Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Republicans in the United States Senate picked veteran John Thune to be the chamber’s new leader, as lawmakers, scrambling to prepare for President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration, rejected his camp’s favoured candidate.

U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota was chosen by his peers to lead his Republican senators in the 119th U.S. Congress.

Republican John Thune of South Dakota is elected next Senate majority leader, making him a key partner in power to Trump

John Thune, 63, defeated Sens. John Cornyn and Rick Scott in the secret-ballot vote to succeed Mitch McConnell as Senate majority leader.

It has previously been reported that Mr Trump wanted to publicly back Mr Scott but was unsure whether he could win. Mr Thune is a former Trump critic who has since courted the pre