I’m not sure I see your point...Congressman Thune chose not to dispute a close election in 2002, then went on to win a statewide contest for US Senate.
One might argue losing gracefully in 2002 propelled him into higher office.
Both were for US Senate... He gave up without verifying that he really lost....
He rolled over. He is not a fighter.
He is asking Trump to be a wuss like him.