The Senate Republicans vying to succeed Mitch McConnell as GOP leader are making post-election calls to their colleagues as they look to secure the requisite votes ahead of the leadership elections on Wednesday.
We checked in with several Republican senators and senior aides Wednesday to better understand how Senate Minority Whip John Thune, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) are pitching their candidacies.
All three are now tailoring their pitches to the likely prospect of a GOP trifecta. What stood out to us was the posture of senators who are on the fence between the two “Johns.” Many senators see very few differences between Thune and Cornyn, so they’re asking why they should cast their vote for one over the other.
John Thune
In private conversations, Thune is zeroing in on the fact that he served as a committee chair (Commerce). This dovetails with Thune’s argument for empowering committees as a way to “democratize” the conference.
Thune is also touting his aggressive public campaigning in eight-plus states with Senate GOP candidates this cycle, arguing that candidates see him as an effective messenger, not just a fundraising vehicle.
Looking ahead to next year’s tax fight, Thune is telling Republicans he’s the best person to lead the party through that effort, noting he was part of the “Core Four” that crafted the 2017 legislation and has a long history working on tax policy.
John Cornyn
Cornyn is reminding senators that he ran budget reconciliation efforts as whip, including passing the original Trump tax cuts in 2017. This is relevant in the context of a GOP trifecta, which would trigger reconciliation as the likely vehicle for the expiring tax cuts.
The Texas Republican is also playing up his fundraising prowess. Cornyn has raised more than $400 million since his first Senate election in 2002.
Cornyn later chaired the NRSC for two terms and, more recently, created a joint fundraising committee that allows him to raise money for GOP campaigns. Senators tell us Cornyn routinely asks them if they need campaign cash from his coffers — including senators who don’t usually have tough races.
Rick Scott
Scott is pitching himself to senators as the truest Trump ally and the best person to carry out the president-elect’s agenda. This is an implicit dig at Thune and Cornyn, who have rocky histories with Trump. Scott believes Trump could endorse him, too, but it’s a secret ballot election.
He’s also noting that Trump’s campaign co-chief Susie Wiles — a top contender for White House chief of staff — ran his 2010 gubernatorial race.
Scott is also highlighting his close ties to Speaker Mike Johnson.
