Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will vacate his seat in January 2027 after nearly four decades, but it is his vacated role as the Republican Senate leader in November that has a handful of senators jockeying to be the hand at the reins.

The front-runners for the race are Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and John Thune of South Dakota.

“Senate Republicans are blessed with a deep and talented bench, but Sen. Thune sticks out as someone with the policy and political chops and widespread support inside the conference to get the job,” an anonymous former Senate GOP aide told Newsweek. “Few will ever match Mitch McConnell on floor strategy and tactics, but Thune has had years to learn from the master.”

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