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What we know about three potential candidates to replace Mitch McConnell

Kentucky Senator and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced in February he would step down in January as leader after nearly two decades.

KENTUCKY, USA — Donald Trump has won another term as President of the United States. Now, the question remains as to who will lead the GOP in the Senate.

Kentucky Senator and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced in February he would step down in January as leader after nearly two decades.

So, who will fill the shoes of the 82-year-old senator?

Three names have been making the rounds as hopefuls for the seat. 

John Thune, Rick Scott and John Cornyn are three names many republican leaders have endorsed for the seat. 

Here's what we know about them. 

Sen. John Thune-

63-year-old John Thune is a South Dakota native and has been working in politics for decades. 

He first joined the House of Representatives for South Dakota in 1996 and serves three terms in the position.

Thune won his first senate term in 2004. In 2010, he was elected to serve a second term in the Senate in a rare unopposed race, according to Senate.gov.

He was only the third Republican and the only South Dakotan to run unopposed for the Senate since direct elections were created in 1913, the website said.

In 2022, he became the second South Dakotan in history to be elected to a fourth term in the U.S. Senate. 

On his website under key solutions, Thune provides his views on agriculture, second amendment rights, energy and more.

Sen. Rick Scott- 

71-year old Rick Scott is originally form the Midwest and and was elected to the US Senate in 2018.

Scott spent time in the Navy where he served active duty as a radar man aboard the USS Glover, according to his website. He bought his first business, a donut shop, while still in college at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. 

Scott has also run a healthcare company and several other businesses. He had never held a political position when he ran for Governor in 2011. 

He served two terms as Florida governor, according to Senate.gov.

On his website, Scott lists a 12 point plan for a better America. He calls it his 'Rescue America Plan.'

The top five points include education reform, "color blind equality," safety and crime, immigration, and economic growth. 

Sen. John Cornyn- 

72-year-old John Cornyn is a San Antonio native and has been in politics for decades. He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and is currently serving his fourth term, according to Senate.gov.

He currently sits on the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees, where he helps craft legislation on behalf of more than 30 million Texans.

Cornyn has has a spot on the US Senate since he was first elected to the position in 2002.

From 2013 to 2019, Cornyn was chosen by his peers to serve as the Senate Republican Whip, the second-highest ranking position within the Republican Conference, his biography on Senate.gov said.

On his senate website, Cornyn lists key issues like agriculture, health care, empowering law enforcement, immigration and more.

Mitch McConnell has yet to endorse any candidate for his seat.

His current Senate term ends in 2027.

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