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National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman Steve Daines, R-Mont., is privately urging different Senate Republicans to formed their ballots successful favour of Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., a root acquainted told Fox News Digital.
The Montana Republican has not publically endorsed Thune but is readying to enactment him successful the concealed ballot connected Nov. 13 to determine who volition succeed Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., arsenic the caput of the party.
Up until past month, Daines was inactive being speculated arsenic a imaginable contender for leader. The legislator had repeatedly skirted questions astir whether helium would articulation the race, noticeably not ruling it out. However, helium confirmed to Fox News successful October that helium would not question the enactment post.
Daines, left, is privately encouraging different Republicans to enactment Thune, right. (Reuters)
The person presumption is presently being sought by Thune and Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Rick Scott, R-Fla.
McConnell, 82, announced successful February that helium would not tally for person again successful the adjacent Congress. He is the longest-serving enactment person successful Senate history.
The precise influential Kentucky Republican won't beryllium endorsing a successor up of the election, Fox News besides confirmed.
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, speaks during a quality league astatine the U.S. Capitol successful Washington, D.C., connected Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Before Daines dispelled speculation that helium would motorboat a run for leader, Trump told allies pursuing McConnell's announcement that helium would similar to spot the Montana legislator run to win him.
That was prompted by the president-elect's bully narration with Daines, the root shared.
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Trump told allies that helium wanted to spot Daines tally for Senate GOP leader. (Reuters/ AP)
Senators person kept quiescent passim the months starring up to the person race, opting alternatively to absorption connected the 2024 elections. Very fewer Republicans person made revealing nationalist comments astir the candidates oregon whom they were leaning toward.
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Left to right: Senators John Cornyn, John Thune, and Rick Scott are being speculated arsenic contenders successful the contention to win Mitch McConnell arsenic leader. (Getty Images)
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Only 3 senators person made nationalist endorsements, with Sens. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., and Mike Rounds, R-S.D., who announced enactment for Thune earlier this year, and Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., who precocious backed Scott and urged Trump to endorse him arsenic well.
Trump has not weighed in, and it is unclear whether helium plans to. His squad did not instantly supply remark to Fox News Digital.
Julia Johnson is simply a authorities writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, starring sum of the U.S. Senate. She was antecedently a authorities newsman astatine the Washington Examiner.
Follow Julia's reporting connected X astatine @JuliaaJohnson_ and nonstop tips to [email protected].
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