Senate GOP Elects Thune as Leader, Rejecting Musk’s Pick (3)

South Dakota Senator John Thune, a longtime deputy of Mitch McConnell and an advocate of free trade, won election to lead the Republican Senate majority next year, setting up potential conflicts with President-elect Donald Trump over tariffs and Ukraine aid.

Thune, 63, defeated Elon Musk’s candidate Rick Scott and another McConnell protege John Cornyn in secret voting on Wednesday. McConnell, the longest-serving Republican leader in the chamber, is stepping down from the post after 18 years.

Thune has looked to reset his relationship with Trump after a rocky period following the January 6, 2021, ...