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.

The once and future president tried to oust Thune from the Senate in 2022. Thune won another term. Now, he’s the Senate majority leader.

S.D., became the next Senate majority leader after two rounds of voting, taking the reins of the party from the longest Senate leader despite a rocky history with President-Elect Donald Trump. Thune replaces Sen.