Names are already surfacing to succeed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who will be stepping down in November.
The 82-year-old is the longest-serving party leader in the history of the Senate and the man who once served as his No. 2 in leadership has officially thrown his hat in the ring.
Texas Senator John Cornyn became the first Republican to announce he is making a bid for the leader’s position, saying in a statement Thursday, “I am asking my Republican colleagues to give me the opportunity to succeed Leader McConnell.”
“I believe the Senate is broken — that is not news to anyone. The good news is that it can be fixed, and I intend to play a major role in fixing it,” Cornyn said, sparking fiery responses from critics.
“From experience, I have learned what works in the Senate and what does not,” he added. “And I am confident Senate Republicans can restore our institution to the essential role it serves in our constitutional republic.”
Sens. John Thune, R-S.D. and John Barrasso, R-Wyo., have also been mentioned as possible successors to McConnell though neither has officially announced anything.
Cornyn, who served two terms as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, reminded his fellow GOP senators that he has “built a track record of listening to colleagues and seeking consensus, while leading the fight to stop bad policies that are harmful to our nation and the conservative cause.”
New from @JohnCornyn
“I am asking my Republican colleagues to give me the opportunity to succeed Leader McConnell.”#txlege pic.twitter.com/usAeMZEV0y
— Cameron Abrams (@CameronSAbrams) February 29, 2024
He also pledged to “improve communication, increase transparency, and ensure inclusion of every Member’s expertise and opinion.”
“We will restore the important role of Senate committees and reestablish the regular appropriations process, rather than lurch from one crisis to another. And we will return power back to our members; there will be no more backroom deals or forced votes on bills without adequate time for review, debate, and amendment,” Cornyn promised, evidently addressing criticism from some Republicans about McConnell’s decisions.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has often blasted McConnell and had a message for would-be successors.
Anyone wanting to be the next Senate GOP leader should tell Senate Republicans—as specifically as possible—how he or she would do the job differently than it’s been done since 2007.
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) February 29, 2024
Florida Sen. Rick Scott, who challenged McConnell for the position in 2022, issued a statement upon the GOP Leader’s announcement.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) February 28, 2024
Cornyn has endorsed former President Donald Trump in his re-election bid and, according to Fox News, “boasts that he voted with Trump more than 92% of the time during his term in the White House.”
Cornyn’s announced bid to be Senate leader was met with some heated responses on X where even Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asked users whether the senator is “conservative enough” to lead the GOP.
John Cornyn couldn’t lead his way out of a paper bag. https://t.co/Dxvi0LIISp
— Michael Quinn Sullivan (@MQSullivan) February 29, 2024
John Cornyn is the Mitt Romney of Mitch McConnells
— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) February 29, 2024
Mitch McConnell’s aide John Cornyn threatens Ken Paxton with lawfare over their political differences. Wildly unpopular approach to take with Republicans and bizarre way to campaign to replace unpopular McConnell. https://t.co/dcTPF4dO0O
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) February 29, 2024
It will be difficult for @JohnCornyn to be an effective leader since he is anti-Trump, anti-gun, and will be focused on his highly competitive primary campaign in 2026. Republicans deserve better in their next leader and Texans deserve another conservative Senator. https://t.co/IKJYcoXzat
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) February 29, 2024
Texas Senator John Cornyn has officially entered the race to succeed Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Believe it or not, Cornyn, also a RINO, would actually be a SIGNIFICANT DOWNGRADE from McConnell. pic.twitter.com/SfD8AKjgZg
— drmini14 (@drmini141) February 29, 2024
John Cornyn is a weak and feckless RINO who should be nowhere near leadership in the Senate. Give me Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Ron Johnson, just someone that will stand up to the Democrats and media who will also advance the America First agenda.
— Righteous⚡️Crusader (@Craftmastah) February 29, 2024
HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sen. John Cornyn declares candidacy for minority leader after McConnell steps downhttps://t.co/SYyBmDf6Y3
— Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) February 29, 2024
Not just no, but HELL NO. @JohnCornyn is a TDS suffering, Trump hating, America Last, RINO.
HELL NO. https://t.co/7rZ78TroqJ
— SocialismSucs (@SocialismSucs) February 29, 2024
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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