During the upcoming leadership elections in the Senate, Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota has announced his support for Senate Minority Whip John Thune of South Dakota. The first secret ballot is scheduled for Wednesday morning, where Thune is vying against Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida to potentially succeed Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
In an exclusive interview, Cramer expressed his decision to cast his first vote for Thune, citing their long-standing relationship and trust. He emphasized Thune's honesty and their shared history, dating back to their early involvement in Republican Party activities in the Dakotas.
Despite his endorsement, Cramer clarified that he holds no animosity towards other candidates and views the Senate Republican conference as a cohesive group. He defended his choice to publicly support Thune, stating that neutrality in such matters could be perceived as lacking conviction.
Cramer predicted that the leadership race might extend to a second secret ballot, as a candidate needs to secure at least 27 votes for victory. He acknowledged the diverse endorsements received by the contenders, with Thune garnering support from fellow Dakotan senators and high-profile figures like Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma.
Addressing the influence of external endorsements, particularly those aligned with President-Elect Donald Trump, Cramer emphasized the unity of the Republican conference with Trump's agenda. While acknowledging differing opinions within his party, he underscored the collective alignment with Trump's governance priorities.
Notably, Trump has refrained from endorsing any specific candidate, despite pressure from his associates. Thune's endorsements include Sen. Markwayne Mullin, while Cornyn and Scott have received backing from senators like Josh Hawley and Marco Rubio, respectively.
