Former United States President Donald Trump is supporting Montana Sen. Steve Daines to become the successor of Mitch McConnell as the GOP Senate leader.
The situation comes after McConnell's sudden decision to step down from his post has thrown Senate Republicans into an extended and potentially disruptive nine-month battle for his successor. This also comes in the middle of a presidential race as well as a campaign for control of the chamber.
Trump's Support of Steve Daines
McConnell's announcement thrust a contest that had been simmering in the background front and center this week. The contenders vying for his position immediately started to woo their colleagues for the chance to become the first new face of their party in the Senate in nearly two decades.
The No. 2 Republican, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, said that it was "a lot of runway" when talking about the months remaining before the party's first seriously contested leadership race. However, he said that it was an unavoidable fact, arguing that officials will just have to adapt to the situation, as per the New York Times.
Congressional leadership contests are considered the most inside of inside games on Capitol Hill. The secret ballot outcomes are determined by personal relationships, grudges, and who officials see as the best option for their own ambitions as much as serious policy positions or the state of the institution.
The situation also comes as the true electorate is not yet known since the ones who would be voting for next year's leader will include anyone who wins a seat in the November general elections and anyone who loses will be excluded.
That particular reality was underscored on Friday morning after Sen. John Cornyn of Texas endorsed Kari Lake to replace McConnell. Cornyn, who is so far the only one to officially announce that he is running, has tried to get off to a quick start in his efforts to replace the GOP leader.
Mitch McConnell's Announcement
This comes as former President Trump has been quietly urging Daines to run for GOP leader to succeed McConnell. The Republican businessman was apparently doing so even before the Kentucky senator announced that he would be stepping down from his position, according to Axios.
While the majority of speculation about McConnell's potential successor has centered around three Johns, namely Thune, Cornyn, and Barrasso, Trump's involvement suggests that there could be a long race for the GOP leadership in the future.
The former president is consolidating his power over the Republican Party and lawmakers in Congress. His blessing, along with a triumphant November election, could position Daines for the Senate leadership when the new Congress begins work in January next year.
The situation comes as McConnell had previously fallen out bitterly with Trump after the 2020 election and has not spoken to him for more than three years. That development created an awkward tension within the GOP that many senators are eager to address.
However, many officials are divided over how aligned their next leader should be when it comes to Trump. There are some, including Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alaska, who want to elect a new leader who will be supportive of the former president, saying that it is "imperative," said The Hill.
