Photo via The Guardian
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For 18 years, Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has led Republicans in the Senate. His leadership has been described as “brutish,” from engineering a definitive majority in the Supreme Court to blocking countless Democratic initiatives, including efforts to expand voting rights and pass comprehensive immigration reform. His strategic use of Senate rules, such as the filibuster, has allowed him to shape the judiciary and legislative landscape for decades.
Yet, at 83, McConnell’s frail, withered figure moves through the Capital’s halls in a wheelchair. McConnell stepped down as party leader at the beginning of 2025, marking a new age for GOP leadership.
John Thune, the senior senator from South Dakota, has been chosen to lead the GOP through the Trump years. Unlike McConnell, Thune has risen from the shadows, building his career behind the political curtain. Thune’s reputation proves minor when compared to McConnell’s ruthless reputation. Yet, perhaps Thune’s disciplined conservatism and ability to maintain party unity without theatrics is precisely what the GOP needs.
Thune’s rise to prominence is evidence of his endurance. He was a member of the House before becoming a senator in 2005. He made headlines when he defeated Democratic Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle. However, he hasn’t looked for attention very often since. Under McConnell, he has been a devoted sidekick who has assisted in developing Republican policy and messaging while steering clear of the abrasive, bombastic rhetoric that has come to characterize a large portion of the contemporary GOP.
He directly juxtaposes fellow GOP senators who thrive on ideological crusades and social media warfare, such as Josh Hawley or Vice President J.D. Vance’s Senate career. Instead, through a methodical, technical approach, Thune represents the traditional conservatism the Republican Party thrived on before Trump: tax reduction, deregulation, and a robust national military.
He takes over at a critical juncture. Institutional conservatives and the populist, Trump-aligned right have split the Republican Party. Despite his flaws, McConnell stood as a barrier against the MAGA takeover. Even if he voted against impeachment, McConnell denounced Trump after January 6.
Maintaining this equilibrium is Thune’s paramount issue. He needs to bring the party together without letting MAGA ideology take over. He has to deal with the pressure from House Republicans and Fox News commentators who prioritize ideological purity over the efficacy of legislation. Trump’s all-powerful status in Republican politics complicates Thune’s work. Although he discreetly distanced himself from the more radical aspects of the MAGA movement during his administration, he cautiously avoided outright conflicts with Trump. However, subtlety might not be sufficient anymore.
Thune has previously alluded to nonviolent protest. He hardly ever uses the aggressive language that characterizes politicians who support Trump. Thune has indicated that he favors bipartisan agreements, especially in the agriculture and infrastructure sectors, where Republicans and Democrats may still work together.
However, negotiations and diplomacy might not be enough. Media spectacle is the driving force behind the modern GOP. Thune’s calm, collected demeanor risks being overpowered by his party’s stronger voices. If he wants to keep things under control, he will have to be more assertive.
In the end, Thune must ensure that the extremists of the MAGA mentality do not undermine Republican principles, which include fiscal restraint, limited government, and a robust national military. His ability to steer the Republican Party away from outrageous politics and back toward governance will determine the party’s destiny.
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This article was edited by Naba Syed and Chet-Kane Collins.
Lauren Gracia 
Cooper Toland 
Anita Boniface