Thune Faces Test of Senate Majority

One week remains until the midterms, marking the final test for Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s strategy to preserve his party’s control of the chamber.

In Sioux City, Iowa, Thune met with six local business owners at a strip-mall bar and grill just hours after President Donald Trump held a rally in a nearby airplane hangar. This low-key gathering stood in contrast to the boisterous crowd that had greeted the president earlier that day. The event was part of Thune’s final campaign sprint to support Republican Senate candidates.

Rep. Ashley Hinson, who sat with Thune at the table, addressed a question that has followed Republican candidates throughout the fall: how to balance the president’s demands for loyalty with his unpopular policies. She stated she would support the president when she agreed with him and act as a 'thorn in his side' when she did not. Thune, who has led the Senate for nearly two years, barely flinched during the exchange.

Thune’s tenure has required advancing the president’s agenda while maintaining the Senate’s independence. The election map has turned perilous for Republicans amid an ongoing war with Iran and high gas prices. In his leadership office, Thune told CBS News, 'Nothing's a guarantee. There are no layups.' He argued that despite short-term issues like fuel costs, the party has set the economy up for success.

Colleagues describe Thune as a steady and kind leader who rarely loses his temper. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota called him steady and conservative. Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio described him as a 'super nice guy.' Even Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has called Thune a 'good and decent American.' Under his leadership, the Senate approved the president’s tax, border, and defense agendas, along with bipartisan measures on housing and stablecoins.

However, the party’s record on the war complicates its message. Since the conflict with Iran began in February, only a handful of Republicans have broken with the president on war powers. The vast majority of the conference voted to grant the president deference in steering the conflict, a stance that now follows candidates on the campaign trail. Thune believes Republicans have a good chance of keeping the majority if they can sell the long-term benefits of their agenda.

Thune, 65, grew up in Murdo, South Dakota, a town with a population of about 500. His father, a World War II veteran and teacher, is central to Thune’s origin stories. Thune was a standout high school basketball player and later worked in Congress for Rep. Jim Abdnor. He was first elected to the House in 1996 and won a Senate seat in 2004 by ousting Democratic leader Tom Daschle by more than 4,000 votes.

Thune’s relationship with Trump has been complex. In 2016, Thune called for Trump to drop out of the race. During Trump’s first term, Thune broke with the president on several issues and called the effort to overturn the 2020 election a 'shot dog' in the Senate. After the Jan. 6 attack, Thune called the president’s actions 'inexcusable,' though he voted to acquit him. The two mended their differences before the 2025 term, with Trump saying Thune would 'do an outstanding job.'

The Senate has navigated several contentious issues under Thune’s leadership, including confirmation fights, trade policy back-and-forths, and the war with Iran. Thune has faced accusations of obstruction from within his own party, particularly regarding the government shutdown and the blocking of nominees. He remains focused on the 'blocking and tackling of elections' in the final days before voters head to the polls.