John Thune's posse: Meet the power players in his orbit
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Amid Washington's coming MAGA influx, newly-elected Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) will be surrounded by power players with long ties to establishment Washington.
Why it matters: Thune, 63, who first came to the Hill as a House member from South Dakota 27 years ago, has key Trump allies — but also deep ties downtown, and staffers who've been with him for as long as a couple decades.
The insiders: Ask who Thune listens to, and you'll likely be told Geoff Antell (pronounced "Joff"), his chief of staff who's been with him since he stepped into his current whip role.
- South Dakota-based Ryan Nelson is one of Thune's most trusted advisers and has been described as "indispensable."
- Other essential, long-time staffers: Jessica McBride (deputy chief of staff), Daffnei Reidel (head of operations) and Ryan Wrasse (communications director).
The Trump whisperers: Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) used their outsized sway with Trump to urge him to not comment on who he favored in the race.
- Former Trump official Johnny DeStefano has been a key adviser and fundraiser for Thune. He's newer to the team but will be a helpful sherpa for navigating Trump's Washington.
K Street: Many of his former staffers are now committed outside allies who will have enormous sway from K Street.
- Doug Schwartz is founder of HillNorth consulting ... Nick Rossi is at Apple. ... Stephen Replogle is at Capitol Consulting Group ... Brendon Plack is with the NFL ... Jane Lucas is a partner at Alston Bird.
