Senator John Thune of South Dakota does not plan on leaving the U.S. Senate anytime soon. On Saturday, the Republican lawmaker announced that he plans to run for re-election later this year.
“I’ve always promised that I would do the work, even when it was hard, uncomfortable, or unpopular. That work continues, which is why after careful consideration and prayer, and with the support of my family, I’m asking South Dakotans for the opportunity to continue serving them in the U.S Senate,” Thune shared in a prepared statement.
Thune’s decision to run again comes as a bit of a surprise. Previously, he said that he had been struggling to find the desire to run again.
“Obviously, the opportunities in leadership is a consideration — for sure, it’s a consideration,” Thune said, according to CNN.
“But there are lots of other (factors) too. … I’ve been doing it for 25 years. I think you gotta get into family considerations, personal considerations. And obviously it’s a place where we can make a difference, and that’s why you do it.”
The 61-year-old lawmaker is currently serving his third term in Congress. If he is re-elected, it is expected that he will eventually take Senator Mitch McConnell’s place as the party leader in the Senate. Until then, he will continue to serve as the Republican Whip.
