In a surprising turn of events, GOP Senator John Thune, the second highest-ranking Republican in the Senate, has publicly endorsed former President Donald Trump as the party’s nominee. This news was confirmed by Thune’s office to CNN.
Thune, a South Dakota Republican, has previously expressed criticism of Trump. His endorsement is a clear sign of Trump’s continued influence within the party as he moves closer to securing the nomination. This development is particularly significant in light of Trump’s recent victory in the South Carolina primary and Thune’s past doubts about Trump’s viability as a general election candidate.
Thune, who is seen as a potential successor to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, had previously supported Senator Tim Scott for president. However, Scott withdrew from the race in November. Despite some party members’ concerns about Trump’s potential impact on down-ballot races, Thune has confirmed his support for the former president.
In a conversation with CNN last month, Thune expressed his concerns about Trump’s electability, stating, “General elections are won in the middle of the electorate. All that has repercussions for Senate races, too. If we want to get the majority, we need a strong showing at the top of the ticket that translates into some down-ballot success.”
While House GOP leadership has been quick to rally around Trump, Senate Republicans have been more cautious. McConnell, for instance, has not spoken to Trump in over three years and generally avoids mentioning his name in public. However, other Senate GOP leaders, such as Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming and Texas Senator John Cornyn, have recently endorsed Trump.
This story will continue to be updated as more information becomes available. Reporting contributions were made by Kristen Holmes.