Senator Mitch McConnell’s second alarming medical episode earlier than tv cameras on Wednesday has renewed scrutiny on his well being in addition to hypothesis about potential replacements for the longtime chief ought to he be compelled to step apart.
A change on the high can be vital for Senate Republicans, contemplating that Mr. McConnell has been their chief since 2007 and had been the No. 2 Republican for 4 years earlier than taking the helm. This 12 months, he grew to become the longest-serving Senate chief in historical past, a milestone he had lengthy sought.
Mr. McConnell, who received election to a seventh time period in 2020, has stated he has no plans to depart his put up, and to this point his colleagues have avoided pressuring him or jockeying — even behind the scenes — for his spot. But the spate of incidents, together with a fall in March and two sudden bouts of momentary paralysis in public, has turned consideration to who may observe him.
Topping the listing are three main candidates referred to informally within the Senate because the Three Johns.
John Thune of South Dakota
Mr. Thune, 62, is the present No. 2 Senate Republican, often known as the whip. The affable South Dakotan has held the place since 2019 after his predecessor, Senator John Cornyn of Texas, was compelled out by time period limits. A former House member, Mr. Thune was elected to the Senate in 2004 by defeating Tom Daschle, then the Democratic chief, in one of many nation’s high Senate races. He is a conventional Republican fiscal conservative who has run afoul of Donald J. Trump for dismissing Mr. Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him. Mr. Thune thought of retiring from the Senate final 12 months however then simply received re-election. He was the chairman of the Commerce Committee earlier than becoming a member of management, and he efficiently fought to maintain Ellsworth Air Force Base open in his residence state in 2005 when it was beneficial for closure.
John Cornyn of Texas
Mr. Cornyn, 71, is the previous No. 2 Republican within the Senate and a high lieutenant and adviser to Mr. McConnell. He has made no secret of his curiosity in changing Mr. McConnell ought to there be a gap on the high. Outside of management, Mr. Cornyn, a former Texas Supreme Court justice and lawyer common, has made his mark on the Judiciary Committee, the place he’s a senior member actively concerned in judicial nominations and different authorized affairs coverage. After the mass faculty capturing in Uvalde, Texas, final 12 months, Mr. Cornyn was delegated by Mr. McConnell to barter with Democrats on new bipartisan gun security laws that ultimately was permitted by Congress regardless of expectations of failure. He was additionally a champion of the federal jail overhaul meant to cut back mass incarceration. On the political aspect, Mr. Cornyn was seen as an efficient head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and has a robust fund-raising report, a truth not misplaced on his colleagues.
John Barrasso of Wyoming
Mr. Barrasso, 71, an orthopedic surgeon, is the No. 3 Senate Republican and is thought for his deep curiosity in power coverage. He was appointed to the Senate in 2007 to fill the emptiness left by the demise of Craig Thomas and has been simply elected thrice since then. He suits the profile of a Western conservative together with his robust pro-gun and property rights stances. Mr. Barrasso has additionally maintained a very good relationship with Mr. Trump, setting him other than Mr. McConnell and Mr. Thune. Mr. Barrasso is seen extra as a candidate for the No. 2 slot if there’s a McConnell departure, and his allies imagine he can be a very good match there.
Dark horses
Senators Joni Ernst of Iowa and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia are additionally members of the Republican management staff and would advantage some consideration for promotions if there have been a shake-up.
Ms. Ernst, 53, is a army fight veteran who serves because the No. 4 chief as chair of the Republican Policy Committee. Ms. Capito, 69, hails from a storied West Virginia political household and is vice chair of the Senate Republican Conference. While standard with their colleagues, each can be very lengthy pictures for the highest put up.
Source: www.nytimes.com