The race to succeed Mitch McConnell as the Senate GOP leader is gaining momentum, with Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., throwing his weight behind Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., in the upcoming secret ballot. Cramer’s endorsement marks a significant development, as he is the latest Republican to publicly declare his support for Thune.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Cramer emphasized Thune’s trustworthiness as a key factor in his decision. “I told both Rick Scott and John Cornyn today that I’ll be casting my first vote for John Thune,” Cramer said. “Thune has never lied to me. I can’t say that of everybody.” This statement highlights Cramer’s confidence in Thune’s character and leadership qualities.
Cramer’s endorsement comes as Thune faces stiff competition from Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Rick Scott, R-Fla., for the top spot in the Senate Republican leadership. While acknowledging the competitive nature of the race, Cramer expressed a belief that the race will likely require a second secret ballot. This means that no candidate has yet reached the required 27 votes for a decisive win.
The race has also drawn attention for the high-profile endorsements of Scott from individuals frequently aligned with President-Elect Donald Trump. However, Cramer insists that the Republican conference as a whole is firmly in line with Trump’s agenda. “I endorsed Donald Trump and Donald Trump endorsed me,” Cramer said. “[W]hen it comes to the—literally the issue of governing, we’re all on the same team. The Republican majority in the Senate to a T is in sync with Donald Trump’s agenda.”
Despite external pressure and differing endorsements, the Republican conference appears unified in its commitment to Trump’s policies. The race for Senate GOP leader promises to be a closely watched event, with the outcome having significant implications for the future direction of the Republican party in the Senate.
