Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) announced he would challenge current Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. From Politico:
The challenge emerged after Republicans’ disappointing midterm performance provoked a tremendous round of finger-pointing. Scott, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee and got nudged to mount opposition to McConnell by former President Donald Trump, was at odds with the GOP leader over strategy and tactics for months before Election Day.McConnell says he already has the votes locked up to win a Wednesday leadership election, and Scott is not expected to garner enough support to come close to toppling the leader. But Scott is pressing forward anyway, as a band of conservatives pushes to delay leadership elections until all the Senate races are determined.McKinley Lewis, a spokesman for Scott, confirmed his leadership bid.
Some Republicans have called for changes in the House and the Republican National Committee.
Those Republicans want the party to delay next week’s leadership votes until all the House, Senate, and governor seats have been called and filled.
I wrote earlier today that people had demanded fresh blood in leadership on both sides of the aisle. Yet we always end up with the same old people (literally and figuratively): Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, Mitch McConnell, John Thune, etc.
The Democrats will keep the Senate. The Republicans need one more House seat to take the majority.
Like The Squad and other Democrats did in 2018 and 2022 with Pelosi, Republican senators voiced their disagreements with leadership:
In addition to Scott, recently re-elected Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) is fuming about the party leadership: “If the excuse is they are uncontested, they will be contested. I have no doubt about that. If nobody else contests, I’ll contest,” he said.[Texas Sen. Ted] Cruz charged that “our leadership repeatedly wants to give in to Democrat priorities. I think that is a failed leadership strategy. And so part of the reason we should delay the election is to have a real and meaningful discussion within the conference,”—Others, like Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), say they want new leadership: “I’m not gonna vote for Senator McConnell. I’ve made that abundantly clear.” His new Missouri GOP colleague, Sen-elect Eric Schmitt, did not comment on the leadership races after signaling he wouldn’t support McConnell as leader earlier this year.
The Squad reelected Pelosi. The Democrats in 2018 also reelected Pelosi. I wonder what McConnell and the old guard will do or say to persuade these people to join them.
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