Mitch McConnell’s Replacement Leaked
As the caucus that will hold the majority next January prepares to select a new leader, a prominent pro-Trump senator is emerging as the favorite to replace Mitch McConnell, who has led the Senate Republicans for decades and is now retiring as Senate Minority Leader (R-KY).
Even though McConnell announced his intention to step down as Senate leader last year, he plans to complete his term in the Senate. While several pro-McConnell figures have been put forward as possible successors, many of these names are unlikely to gain favor with the predominantly pro-Trump base of the Republican Party.
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has long been seen as McConnell's natural successor. However, Cornyn is expected to face a challenging primary in his 2026 re-election bid. His support of significant gun control legislation—the strictest in decades—following the Uvalde Elementary School shooting, in which police delayed entering the building for nearly an hour, resulting in the tragic loss of an entire classroom, may influence his standing with voters.
Nevertheless, Cornyn joined Democrats and a few moderate Republicans in backing this gun control bill.
Cornyn has also supported other measures that may draw criticism from Trump-aligned Republicans, including voting for the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, arguing that the "Russian collusion" investigations into President-elect Trump were valid, and endorsing substantial aid packages for Ukraine.
Other candidates for the leadership position include Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Rick Scott (R-FL), and John Thune (R-SD). Among these, Scott has recently been seen as the most pro-Trump contender.
Backed by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), and others, Scott previously challenged McConnell’s leadership in 2022. While McConnell may lean toward endorsing Cornyn or Thune, Trump’s growing influence, amplified by recent Senate pickups, could be a decisive factor.
Scott told Fox News on Thursday, “I’m gonna run, Larry. I’m gonna win. And here’s why. I’ve been talking to my Republican colleagues. Guess what? They want change. They know that Trump has a mandate. They want to be part of that mandate. They want to be treated as equals. They want to be part of a team. They want to have a working relationship with the House. They know I’ve got a great working relationship with Trump, with Speaker Mike Johnson.”
“They know I’m a business guy. Business guys get things done. We create a plan. We work our mission. We measure things. We create teams. That’s exactly what we want in the Senate and that’s why I’ll be the next majority leader and we’re going to get Trump’s agenda accomplished.”
Scott, previously the governor of Florida, easily won re-election to the Senate on Tuesday, expanding his victory margin significantly from his 2018 race.