Barrasso announces bid for GOP Senate whip amid leader speculation

Sen. John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican, announced Tuesday he is seeking the number two position in Republican Senate leadership come November – the role of GOP whip. 

The role is currently occupied by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., who is expected to announce a bid for the Republican leader to succeed outgoing Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

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Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wy., speaks after a Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on March 28, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

“I have had time to reflect on how I might best serve the Republican Conference and our country,” Barrasso said in a statement. “After a lot of thought, I will ask my colleagues for their support and help to work for them as the Assistant Republican Leader.”

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His decision to seek the number two job comes as Barrasso was speculated to throw his hat in the ring for the leader position. 

Sen. John Barrasso speaks during a news conference following the weekly Republican Senate policy luncheon meeting at the U.S. Capitol Building on Sept. 19, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

As the race begins to take shape, the Wyoming Republican is considered a preferable choice for leader over more McConnell-aligned alternatives. 

“John Barrasso is certainly one of the leadership candidates who cares a lot about where the broader conservative movement is,” said Sen. JD Vance, R–Ohio, in a recent interview with Punchbowl News. “But I don’t know that he actually wants to run.”

Sen. JD Vance talks to reporters between votes at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 12, 2024, in Washington, D.C. ( Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Vance is notably often a part of the GOP faction opposed to McConnell and his leadership decisions. 

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is the only senator to have formally announced his candidacy to succeed McConnell. 

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