McConnell Replacement Election Likely to Get Ugly

I really wish I had positive news on the front to elect a new Senate Leader for the GOP, but this appears like it could get ugly.

Up for the post right now are two McConnell clones and one Trump loyalist.

And there are big names behind all of them, so we have to hope and pray this will not be a public disaster like the election of the House Speaker.

Get It Done

The top three candidates to replace Senator McConnell (R-KY) as Leader of the GOP Senate are Senator Rick Scott (FL), Senator John Thune (R-S.C.), and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX).

Thune and Cornyn, in my opinion, are nothing more than extensions of McConnell, while Scott represents this new wave of Republicans that is falling in line behind Trump.

I am not surprised one bit by the players, but it did shock me to see who is behind some of them, so let’s break this all down.

Scott unsuccessfully challenged McConnell in 2020, but this time could be a bit different.

For one, he already has the backing of Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), who has clearly fallen in line with Trump during this election cycle, and that is going to influence some members of the Senate.

Scott also has the backing of Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), who posted, “Any leader of this new majority must be able to work hand-in-hand with President Trump to advance his America First agenda.”

Thune is the clear establishment candidate and if he wins, it will just be more of what we saw with McConnell. He already has the backing of Senator Rounds (R-S.D.), who stated, “And here’s part of the deal.

“He wants change in the Senate. He wants the Senate to actually get back and actually work. Let’s actually try to get some things done on time for a change.”

Then here is Cornyn, who already has the backing of Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), who I was sure would back Scott for the position.

Like Thune, Cornyn is a McConnell loyalist, which is why this surprised me so much.

In endorsing Cornyn, Hawley stated, "I'm backing John Cornyn for majority leader. In the last two years, nobody has done more to win back the majority than he has. He tirelessly raised millions of dollars for competitive Senate races, including mine.”

He continued, "He has a heart for people: He has voiced his support for the RECA compromise that would fairly compensate hundreds of thousands of Americans poisoned by their government, including so many in Missouri.

"And I know he will work closely and effectively with President Trump to deliver on the promise of our new majority. I'm delighted to give him my support.”

I like Hawley, so I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt here, but I would also suspect that Trump will want to sit down with each one of these men before announcing his endorsement, if he announces one.

I would like to see Scott win this, but something tells me that Cornyn is going to wind up getting the nod when all is said and done as concession for both sides. He may actually be the only one of the three that could get passed on the first vote if Trump gives the thumbs up.

I only hope they get it done quickly and painlessly, unlike what we saw in the House after the 2022 election cycle.