John Thune of South Dakota Elected as Next Senate Majority Leader NYT | Top Stories Luke Broadwater and Carl Hulse 14 November 2024 at 05:15 Senator John Thune of South Dakota emerged victorious over a right-wing, MAGA-backed challenge from Senator Rick Scott of Florida. © Tom Brenner for The New York TimesIn elevating Senator John Thune of South Dakota, G.O.P. senators turned to a traditional Republican in the mold of Senator Mitch McConnell.