'Unusual succession battle' as GOP senators vie to become McConnell’s replacement

Although he plans to serve out the rest of his term, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) is stepping down as GOP leader in the U.S. Senate. And it remains to be seen not only who McConnell's replacement will be, but also, whether that person will be Senate minority leader or Senate majority leader.

Democrats currently control the U.S. Senate under the leadership of Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York), but Republicans need only a net gain of two seats in November to flip Congress' upper chamber. The seat presently held by Sen. Joe Manchin (who isn't seeking reelection) in deep red West Virginia is likely to go GOP, and Republicans are hoping to oust Democratic Senators Jon Tester of Montana and Sherrod Brown of Ohio.

Punchbowl News reporters Andrew Desiderio and Max Cohen, in an article published on June 6, describe the "unusual succession battle" taking place in the U.S. Senate as Republicans look for a McConnell replacement.

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The contenders range from Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. John Thune — both McConnell allies — to Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida), a McConnell foe.

"While it's still early," Desiderio and Cohen explain, "each candidate is maneuvering in unique ways to win over the small but growing faction of conservatives crowing for dramatic changes to the way the conference operates."

Desiderio and Cohen note that for Cornyn and Thune, the "goal is to satisfy conservatives with promises of a break from" McConnell's "way of doing business — but without alienating the conference's so-called 'governing coalition.'"

"Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who only recently jumped into the race against Thune and Cornyn, is campaigning on a major overhaul of the conference and its rules," the Punchbowl reporters observe. "Scott was the face of the anti-McConnell group when he challenged the longtime GOP leader in 2022, but he lost resoundingly…. While Scott is a strong 'anti-establishment' candidate, he hasn't picked up any endorsements."

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Desiderio and Cohen add, "Few Republicans see a benefit to publicly locking themselves in with a candidate five months in advance — save for Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), who support Thune."

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Read the full Punchbowl News report at this link.