Senate Minority Whip John Thune has advised President-elect Donald Trump to refrain from involvement in the Senate GOP race to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell as Republican leader. Thune emphasized that it would be in Trump's best interest to stay out of the race, stating that these Senate secret ballot elections are best left to the senators themselves.
Thune, who is a candidate for the leadership position along with Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, expressed his preference for Trump to remain uninvolved. He acknowledged that Trump could exert significant influence if he chose to do so but underscored the importance of senators working together regardless of the election outcome.
Sen. Rick Scott, considered a long shot in the race, has been closely aligned with Trump politically and has indicated his intention to represent Trump supporters if elected as leader. While some Republican senators have also suggested that Trump should not intervene in the leadership contest, it remains uncertain whether Trump will endorse a candidate given his recent electoral success and impending return to the White House.
The election to determine the new Republican leader is scheduled to take place next Wednesday, with Thune, Cornyn, and Scott vying for the position. Thune's remarks reflect a broader sentiment among some senators that the election process should be driven by internal dynamics within the Senate rather than external influences.
