S.D. Sen. John Thune weighs retirement amid family concerns, Trump’s grip on party – By Jonathan Martin (New York Times) / December 21, 2021
Second-ranking member of GOP Senate leadership has been considered a likely successor to Mitch McConnell.
WASHINGTON — Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the second-ranking Senate Republican and a potential future leader of the party, is seriously considering retiring after next year, a prospect that has set off an intensifying private campaign from other Republicans urging him to seek reelection.
Thune is only 60, but a combination of family concerns and former President Donald Trump’s enduring grip on the Republican Party have prompted the senator, who is in his third term, to tell associates and reporters in his home state that 2022 could be his last year in Congress.
His departure would be a blow to South Dakota, which has enjoyed outsize influence in Washington, and could upend Senate Republicans’ line of succession. Thune has been open about his ambition to lead his party’s caucus after Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., makes way, and quiet but unmistakable jockeying is already underway between Thune and Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and John Barrasso, R-Wyo.
“John is the logical successor should Mitch decide to not run again for leader,” Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said of Thune, while noting that McConnell’s hold on their caucus remained “very secure.”
