Thune (right) with Sen. John Cornyn, one of his rivals for the majority leader post. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call
Senate Republicans elected John Thune as the next GOP leader Wednesday, setting him up to be the Senate majority leader next year despite skepticism from President-elect Trump's allies.
Why it matters: Thune will steer the Senate policy agenda through a new landscape dominated by Trump, including a reconciliation package that could roll back parts of the Inflation Reduction Act and an energy agenda shaped by competition with China.
Zoom in: Thune, currently the Senate GOP whip, is a respected figure in the Senate who's long been a favorite to succeed Mitch McConnell as GOP leader.
His state of South Dakota is a major ethanol producer that gets more than half its electricity generation from wind.
He'll lead a reconciliation bill that could deeply impact both industries, depending on how Republicans treat the IRA.
Watch your inbox for a deeper dive this afternoon on what Thune's election will mean for energy policy.
