The South Dakota Republican failed in his first try for the Senate but came back to defeat a chamber leader. Now he will be the leader himself.

Thune's election comes at a critical time for the Senate GOP, with the party considering wide-ranging legislation that would tackle tax cuts, immigration, and energy policy. Thune

John Thune’s victory on a secret-ballot continued the long tradition, in both parties, of elevating small-state senators to the top jobs, banding together for self interest.