South Dakota’s John Thune, McConnell’s current No. 2, and John Cornyn of Texas, who held that job before Thune, are the front-runners in the Nov. 13 secret ballot to replace McConnell. The Kentucky senator is stepping aside from the post in January ...

Senate Republicans are bracing for the biggest leadership shake-up in nearly 20 years after the Nov. 5 elections no matter which party controls the upper chamber. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) preplanned departure from his post as the longest-serving Senate party leader sparked jockeying within the conference for coveted seats at the leadership table,

Neither of South Dakota’s senators representing the state in Washington is up for reelection on Tuesday, but one of them does have a significant contest just eight days later when GOP senators are set to pick their next leader.