McConnell re-elected Senate GOP leader
Scott’s bid rejected with relative ease
WASHINGTON — Sen. Mitch McConnell was reelected as Republican leader Wednesday, quashing a challenge from Sen. Rick Scott, of Florida, the Senate GOP campaign chief criticized over his party’s midterm election failures.
Retreating to the Capitol’s Old Senate Chamber for the private vote, Republicans had faced public infighting following a disappointing performance in last week’s elections that kept Senate control with Democrats.
Mr. McConnell, of Kentucky, easily swatted back the challenge from Mr. Scott in the first-ever attempt to oust him after many years as GOP leader. The vote was 37-10, senators said, with one other senator voting present. Senators first rejected an attempt by Mr. McConnell’s detractors to delay the leadership choice until after the Senate runoff election in Georgia next month.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Mr. McConnell said after the vote that leaves him poised to become the Senate’s longest- serving leader when the new Congress convenes next year.
Mr. McConnell said he was “pretty proud” of the outcome as he acknowledged the work ahead.
“I think everybody in our conference agrees we want to give it our best shot,” Mr. McConnell said.
The unrest is similar to the uproar among House Republicans in the aftermath of the midterm elections that left the party split over former President Donald Trump’s hold on the party.
House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy won the nomination from colleagues to run for House speaker, with Republicans on the cusp of seizing the House majority, but he faces stiff opposition from a core group of right-flank Republicans unconvinced of his leadership.
On Wednesday, the senators first considered a motion by a Scott ally, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, of Texas, to delay the leadership votes until after the Dec. 6 runoff election in Georgia between Republican Herschel Walker and incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock that will determine the final makeup of the Senate.
Mr. Cruz said it was a “cordial discussion, but a serious discussion.”
In all, 48 GOP new and returning senators voted. Retiring Sen. Ben Sasse, of Nebraska, missed the vote to be home after his office said his wife was recovering from a nonthreatening seizure.
The 10 Republican senators joining in the revolt against Mr. McConnell and voting for Mr. Scott included some of the most conservative figures and those aligned with Mr. Trump.
“Why do I think he won?” said Sen. Josh Hawley, RMo., among Mr. McConnell’s detractors. “Because the conference didn’t want to change course.”
Mr. McConnell’s top leadership ranks are expected to remain stable, with Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., as GOP whip, and Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., in the No. 3 spot as chairman of the GOP conference. Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines was expected take over the campaign operation from Mr. Scott.
The challenge by Mr. Scott, who was urged by Mr. Trump to confront Mr. McConnell, escalated a longsimmering feud between Mr. Scott, who led the Senate Republican’s campaign arm this year, and Mr. McConnell over the party’s approach to try to reclaim the Senate majority.