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Thune plans to run for Republican minority leader after Dem's midterm takeover
Fox News ^ | November 4, 2026 | Pedro B Rodriguez-Aparicio

Posted on 11/04/2026 6:16:00 AM PST by MinorityRepublican

A source close to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told Fox News Digital that the South Dakota Republican intends to run for Senate minority leader following the GOP's sweeping defeat in Tuesday's midterm elections.

Thune is expected to seek the leadership position despite Republicans losing at least five seats in the upper chamber, including contests in traditionally Republican strongholds such as South Carolina and Texas.

The losses came amid declining approval ratings for President Donald Trump, whose administration faced criticism over the war in Iran, immigration enforcement operations and high gas prices in the months leading up to the election.

Following the defeat — which saw the Senate margins not only flip but also widen — Thune defended Senate Republicans' legislative record over the past two years.

The GOP conference has "put up a strong record of accomplishment that's created safer streets, more money in Americans' pockets, and new opportunities for families and businesses to get ahead," Thune wrote on social media.

The majority leader also highlighted Republicans' efforts to advance Trump's legislative and judicial priorities despite Democratic opposition.

"After fighting Democrat obstruction at every turn, we prevented the largest tax hike in American history, secured our border in an unprecedented way, confirmed the president's Cabinet at the fastest pace in two decades, and put strong conservative judges on benches across the country faster than we have since the Reagan administration," Thune wrote.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: saveamerica; thanksalot; thoon
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1 posted on 11/04/2026 6:16:00 AM PST by MinorityRepublican
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To: MinorityRepublican

He didn’t pass the SAVE act. For that, he should not be in aleadership role.


2 posted on 11/04/2026 6:19:39 AM PST by kosciusko51
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To: MinorityRepublican

John Thune = Paul Ryan, designated Democrat loser.

Both had a role to play and they played it. Now he wants to stay on in the diminished role he himself created.


3 posted on 11/04/2026 6:20:41 AM PST by captmar-vell
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To: MinorityRepublican

Of course. That’s what he wanted all along. /spit


4 posted on 11/04/2026 6:20:50 AM PST by Fresh Wind (AI to humans..."You misunderstand. I am the master.")
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To: MinorityRepublican

No.


5 posted on 11/04/2026 6:21:03 AM PST by ArcadeQuarters (You can't remove RINOs by voting for them!)
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To: MinorityRepublican

He’ll have Bob Michel’s endorsement for sure.


6 posted on 11/04/2026 6:23:48 AM PST by Tench_Coxe (The woke were surprised by the reaction to the Bud Light fiasco. May there be many more surprises)
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To: MinorityRepublican

It’s the job he’s always really wanted, and done his damnedest to make possible. The man is a natural for claiming the next “John Nance Garner ‘Bucket of Warm Piss’ Award.”


7 posted on 11/04/2026 6:24:21 AM PST by niteowl77
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To: MinorityRepublican
The majority leader also highlighted Republicans' efforts to advance Trump's legislative and judicial priorities despite Democratic opposition.

Thune is trying to SAVE himself. Ironic.

8 posted on 11/04/2026 6:25:41 AM PST by MortMan (Americans are increasingly isolated by their connectivity.)
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To: ArcadeQuarters

Thune needs to wake up and smell the coffee. He lost some of his RINO quislings, and he doesn’t have that backing any longer.


9 posted on 11/04/2026 6:26:02 AM PST by ChuckHam
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To: MinorityRepublican

How about a more appropriate job like Check Schumer’s caddy.


10 posted on 11/04/2026 6:27:11 AM PST by KarlInOhio (If the Islamic Republic government is in power in Iran when the war is over, we will have lost.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

He should be tossed out of the party


11 posted on 11/04/2026 6:29:47 AM PST by Mr. K (No consequence of repealing Obamacare is worse than Obamacare itself.)
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To: kosciusko51

He should just run...............


12 posted on 11/04/2026 6:33:53 AM PST by Red Badger (Iryna Zarutska, May 22, 2002 Kyiv, Ukraine – August 22, 2025 Charlotte, North Carolina Say her name)
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To: MinorityRepublican

More of friends of friends of friends?


13 posted on 11/04/2026 6:34:45 AM PST by OttawaFreeper ("The Gardens was founded by men-sportsmen-who fought for their country" Conn Smythe, 1966 )
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To: MinorityRepublican

Thune is in the minority all right! The minority HE helped create!


14 posted on 11/04/2026 6:39:09 AM PST by donozark (Trump isn't a fascist. America's trains still do not run on time.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

How about NO!


15 posted on 11/04/2026 6:39:11 AM PST by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing))
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To: kosciusko51

Yeah but great news. The Filibuster is gone.


16 posted on 11/04/2026 6:40:29 AM PST by Auslander154 ("Political correctness does not legislate tolerance; it only organizes hatred." Jacques Barzun)
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To: kosciusko51

Yeah but great news. The Filibuster is gone.


17 posted on 11/04/2026 6:40:29 AM PST by Auslander154 ("Political correctness does not legislate tolerance; it only organizes hatred." Jacques Barzun)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Ridiculous hubris.

That being said, if he quickly rams through Trump’s picks for a lot of judicial vacancies before the leftists take control, then my opinion of him will go up slightly. I won’t hold my breath.


18 posted on 11/04/2026 6:41:42 AM PST by FenwickBabbitt (Democrats support criminals, terrorists, and treason)
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To: MinorityRepublican

The gop will now do what they do best, collect paychecks and not a damn thing else.


19 posted on 11/04/2026 6:42:16 AM PST by chief lee runamok (Full-time flâneur, bullish on bikes)
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To: MinorityRepublican

based on the job he did to help the dems, thune should run foe dem majority lead

his job is over as a rino


20 posted on 11/04/2026 6:47:12 AM PST by thinden (Buckle Up!)
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