Politics|Thune, No. 2 Senate Republican, Will Seek Re-election
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/08/us/politics/john-thune-senate-re-election.html
The three-term South Dakotan had considered retiring due to the fact that of household concerns and the continuing grip of erstwhile President Donald J. Trump connected the Republican Party.
Jan. 8, 2022, 12:58 p.m. ET
WASHINGTON — Senator John Thune of South Dakota, the second-ranking Senate Republican, announced connected Saturday that helium would question re-election, aft an assertive lobbying run by colleagues prompted him to enactment speech concerns astir the aboriginal of his enactment and prosecute a 4th term.
“I’m asking South Dakotans for the accidental to proceed serving them successful the U.S. Senate,” Mr. Thune said successful a statement, adding that helium could present for his state.
“I americium uniquely positioned to get that occupation done,” helium said.
The South Dakotan, who turned 61 connected Friday, had precocious told associates that helium was considering retirement, complaining astir the strain of legislature work and privately expressing interest astir erstwhile President Donald J. Trump’s continuing grip connected the Republican Party.
But by seeking re-election successful a heavy blimpish state, Mr. Thune is good positioned to triumph again and perchance win Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the number leader, arsenic the chamber’s apical Republican.
A big of Senate Republicans leaned connected Mr. Thune successful caller weeks to tally again, but Mr. McConnell was particularly assertive and met privately with him this past week.