[NYPOST] Senate Republicans tapped John Thune of South Dakota to lead the conference for the next two years and succeed Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving leader of either party in Senate history.
Thune, who has served as the Republican whip since 2019, edged out John Cornyn of Texas 29-24 on the second ballot.
Rick Scott of Florida, a late favorite of hard-right members, was eliminated on the first ballot after receiving just 13 votes to 15 for Cornyn and 23 for Thune.
Come January, the 63-year-old Thune will be the first non-McConnell GOP Senate majority leader since Bill Frist of Tennessee, who held that post for four years before giving way to McConnell (R-Ky.) following the Republican wipeout in the 2006 midterms.
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