Key facts
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune anticipates seeking reelection in 2028.
- Thune acknowledged that President Donald Trump's influence could impact his decision.
- Trump has previously endorsed primary challengers against Republican incumbents.
- Some Republican senators privately speculate Thune may retire in 2028.
- Thune stated he spoke with Trump about issues the president cares about.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated he anticipates seeking a fifth term in the Senate in 2028, though he acknowledged that President Donald Trump's influence could affect his decision. Thune's comments come amid ongoing disputes with Trump, particularly over the SAVE America Act.
Thune told reporters that his assumption is he will run for reelection, but he left open the possibility that circumstances could change, citing the "mercurial president" and a "precarious political environment for Republicans." He noted that "every election has an impact" and that "we'll see how it comes out in November."
Private speculation has circulated within the Capitol about Thune's future, with some GOP senators predicting he might retire in 2028. One senator suggested that Thune might have "had enough" and "no one would blame him" if he chose to retire. Another Republican accused critics of using the SAVE America Act controversy to undermine Thune's popularity.
Thune acknowledged his potential vulnerability to Trump's influence, joking that if Trump were endorsing against incumbents today, he might be on that list. He also noted that Trump's endorsement "makes a huge difference," but that the political landscape could change significantly by 2028.
Despite the speculation, some Senate Republicans are encouraging Thune to run again. Sen. Mike Rounds described Thune's standing in South Dakota as "positive," attributing it to "normal people that see John, respect him, know him." Professor Michael Card of the University of South Dakota predicted Thune would be in "good shape" if he runs, especially if he is seen as advancing the farm bill.
This is not the first time Thune's future has been questioned. Trump previously backed a primary challenge to Thune in 2022 due to Thune's lack of support for challenging the 2020 election results. Thune ultimately ran and won reelection with nearly 70 percent of the vote.
Thune stated he spoke with Trump earlier in the day about "issues that he cares about" and denied feeling isolated, while reiterating his stance on the SAVE America Act.