News/Commentary

First Republican announces bid to fill McConnell’s shoes is met with fierce opposition: ‘Hell no!’

February 29, 2024 | | Print Article

Names are already surfacing to succeed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who will be stepping down in November.

The 82-year-old is the longest-serving party leader in the history of the Senate and the man who once served as his No. 2 in leadership has officially thrown his hat in the ring.

Texas Senator John Cornyn became the first Republican to announce he is making a bid for the leader’s position, saying in a statement Thursday, “I am asking my Republican colleagues to give me the opportunity to succeed Leader McConnell.”

“I believe the Senate is broken — that is not news to anyone. The good news is that it can be fixed, and I intend to play a major role in fixing it,” Cornyn said, sparking fiery responses from critics.

“From experience, I have learned what works in the Senate and what does not,” he added. “And I am confident Senate Republicans can restore our institution to the essential role it serves in our constitutional republic.”

Sens. John Thune, R-S.D. and John Barrasso, R-Wyo., have also been mentioned as possible successors to McConnell though neither has officially announced anything.

Cornyn, who served two terms as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, reminded his fellow GOP senators that he has “built a track record of listening to colleagues and seeking consensus, while leading the fight to stop bad policies that are harmful to our nation and the conservative cause.”

He also pledged to “improve communication, increase transparency, and ensure inclusion of every Member’s expertise and opinion.”

“We will restore the important role of Senate committees and reestablish the regular appropriations process, rather than lurch from one crisis to another. And we will return power back to our members; there will be no more backroom deals or forced votes on bills without adequate time for review, debate, and amendment,” Cornyn promised, evidently addressing criticism from some Republicans about McConnell’s decisions.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has often blasted McConnell and had a message for would-be successors.

ADVERTISEMENT

Florida Sen. Rick Scott, who challenged McConnell for the position in 2022, issued a statement upon the GOP Leader’s announcement.

Cornyn has endorsed former President Donald Trump in his re-election bid and, according to Fox News, “boasts that he voted with Trump more than 92% of the time during his term in the White House.”

Cornyn’s announced bid to be Senate leader was met with some heated responses on X where even Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asked users whether the senator is “conservative enough” to lead the GOP.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW

Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!

$10
$15
$25
$50
Other
$
Success! Thank you for donating. Please share BPR content to help combat the lies.
Frieda Powers
Latest posts by Frieda Powers (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

BPR INSIDER COMMENTS

Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!

Latest Articles