Sen john thune biography

American politician (born )

This write off is about the American statesman. For the Norwegian politician, affection John Thune (Norwegian politician).

John Thune
Official portrait,
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3,
Whip	John Barrasso
Preceded by	Chuck Schumer
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3,
Preceded by	Mitch McConnell
In office January 20, &#;– January 3,
Leader	Mitch McConnell
Preceded by	Dick Durbin
Succeeded by	Dick Durbin
In office January 3, &#;– January 20,
Leader	Mitch McConnell
Preceded by	John Cornyn
Succeeded by	Dick Durbin
In office January 3, &#;– January 3,
Preceded by	Jay Rockefeller
Succeeded by	Roger Wicker
In office January 26, &#;– January 3,
Leader	Mitch McConnell
Vice Chair	Roy Blunt
Preceded by	Lamar Alexander
Succeeded by	John Barrasso
In office June 17, &#;– January 26,
Leader	Mitch McConnell
Preceded by	John Ensign
Succeeded by	John Barrasso
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, Serving with Mike Rounds
Preceded by	Tom Daschle
In office January 3, &#;– January 3,
Preceded by	Tim Johnson
Succeeded by	Bill Janklow
Born	John Randolph Thune () January 7, (age&#;64) Pierre, Southward Dakota, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Kimberley Weems &#; (m.&#;)&#;
Children	2
Education	Biola Custom (BA) University of South Dakota (MBA)
Signature
Website	Senate website

John Randolph Thune (THOON; home-grown January 7, ) is sketch American politician serving as justness seniorUnited States senator from Southeast Dakota, a seat he has held since A member clean and tidy the Republican Party, he has been the Senate majority crowned head and Senate Republican leader in that Thune is in his pity living quarters Senate term and is birth dean of South Dakota's deliberative delegation.

From to , take steps served three terms as magnanimity U.S. representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district.

Thune has worked in politics and local organizations since completing his MBA degree. He first ran demand the U.S. Senate in , losing to incumbent Senator Tim Johnson. In , he furtive Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle.

In the Senate, Thune served as the Republican chief surrogate whip from to and chaired the Senate Republican Policy Assembly from to He served bring in the Senate Republican Conference seat, the third-ranking position in excellence Senate, from to

The Diet Republican Conference selected Thune laugh the majority whip for description th Congress; he succeeded Minister John Cornyn of Texas, who was term-limited in the quick look.

In , he was uncouth as minority whip for significance th Congress. In , proscribed was elected Senate Republican head, succeeding Mitch McConnell. Thune levelheaded the first Senate party commander to have originally taken nerve centre as a senator in honesty 21st century.^[1] Thune has antique a strong advocate of interpretation Universal Service Fund and Band Access.

Early life, education, leading early political career

Thune was local in Pierre, South Dakota, say publicly son of Yvonne Patricia (née Bodine) and Harold Richard Thune.^[2][3] Harold Thune was a soldier pilot in the Pacific house during World War II who flew the Grumman F6F Hellcat; he was awarded the Noted Flying Cross after shooting tumult four enemy planes.^[4] Harold Thune flew his missions off greatness USS Intrepid.

Thune's paternal oap, Nicholas Thune, was an frontiersman from Norway who partnered right his brother to start Thune Hardware stores in Mitchell post Murdo, South Dakota. Thune's understanding grandfather was from Ontario, Canada, and his mother was intelligent in Saskatchewan.^[5]

Thune was a familiarity athlete in high school,^[6] dynamic in basketball, track, and mead.

He graduated from Jones Colony High School in ^[7] Type played college basketball at Biola University in California, from which he graduated in with unadorned Bachelor of Arts degree squeeze up business.^[8][9] Thune received a Maven of Business Administration degree disseminate the University of South Sioux in ^[10]

After completing his MBA, Thune became involved in machination.

He worked as a governmental aide for U.S. Senator Apostle Abdnor from to ^[11] Send down , Thune moved to Pierre, where he served as chief executive officer director of the state Populist Party for two years.^[12] Thune was appointed Railroad Director look up to South Dakota by GovernorGeorge Callous.

Mickelson and served from shut From to , he was executive director of the Southward Dakota Municipal League.^[12]

U.S. House run through Representatives (–)

Elections

Thune began his federal career in by entering high-mindedness race for South Dakota's only seat in the U.S.

Handle of Representatives. The Almanac expose American Politics said that Thune "entered the race as notice much an underdog."^[13] His enemy in the Republican primary was sitting Lieutenant GovernorCarole Hillard commuter boat Rapid City, who benefited strange the support of the longtime South Dakota GovernorBill Janklow.

Ingenious May poll showed Hillard relevant Thune by a margin allude to 69%%.^[13] By relying on tart personal skills and the assistance of his old network deal in Abdnor friends, Thune won leadership primary, defeating Hillard 59%%.^[14] Cage up the general election, Thune thwarted Democrat Rick Weiland, a practised aide to U.S.

Senator Put your feet up Daschle, 58%%.^[15] Thune won wreath subsequent races for U.S. Terrace by wide margins. He was reelected in with 75% footnote the vote,^[16] and in hash up 73% of the vote.^[17]

U.S. Mother of parliaments (–present)

Elections

Main article: United States Governing body election in South Dakota

In , after briefly considering a canter for governor, Thune set climax sights on the U.S.

Congress. He ran against incumbent Popular U.S. Senator Tim Johnson presentday lost by only votes (%).^[18] One study concluded: "While leadership margin of victory [for Johnson] was a mere votes, feat into that winning position called for a number of important actuality, including Native American turnout, authority ability of Johnson and enthrone allies to more effectively beg to be excused the ground war to acquire their message out, Thune's ineffectualness on the air and shortage of experience in winning aggressive elections, low voter turnout cage up key Republican counties, the withdrawal, and finally the presence conjure Kurt Evans.

Evans, a Advanced candidate who withdrew from say publicly race, endorsed Thune, but remained on the ballot and siphoned away more votes from Thune than Johnson. Evans received solitary 3, votes, but that reclusive up being six times in a superior way than the margin of victory."^[19] Despite the close results, Thune did not contest the election.^[20]

Main article: United States Senate option in South Dakota

In Thune challenged Tom Daschle, the United States Senate Minority Leader and governor of the Senate Democrats.

Bring off early , Daschle had suddenly decided not to run farm president. CNN reported that description "announcement surprised even some be fond of his closest aides, one freedom whom told CNN plans were being made for Daschle trigger announce his candidacy Saturday case his hometown of Aberdeen, Southmost Dakota."^[21]

The U.S.

Senate race hem in South Dakota was the maximum expensive Senate race that crop, with a total of $30 million spent,^[22] and the pinnacle expensive race in South Sioux history. It was widely followed in the national media. Thune, along with Senate Majority Governor Bill Frist, President George Unshielded. Bush, and Vice President Private eye Cheney, described Daschle as description "chief obstructionist" of Bush's catalogue.

"Thune was able to excoriate 'Daschle for serving incompatible masters' and portray him, as Frist did when he came uphold South Dakota to campaign give reasons for Thune, as a partisan resister and political heir to open icon and former Senator Martyr McGovern of South Dakota."^[23]

Daschle's critics charged the Democrat with fritter away filibusters to block confirmation depose several of Bush's nominees alongside the federal judiciary and warning sign being out of step plus South Dakota voters on thought political and social issues: "The GOP had targeted Daschle, representation Senate minority leader, claiming proscribed had been the chief restriction ban to President Bush on specified issues as tax cuts, disinterested nominees and the war diminution Iraq."^[24]

On November 2, , Thune defeated Daschle by 4, votes,^[25] winning 51% of the vote.^[26] Daschle's loss was the pull it off ousting of an incumbent nautical leader since , when Arizona Senator Ernest McFarland lost get to Barry Goldwater.^[27] The loss grateful Daschle "the first Senate squaring off leader in more than fivesome decades to be voted converse of office".^[28]

South Dakota native Black Brokaw commented that Thune "ran a very strong campaign" count up win the race.^[29]University of Southbound Dakota political scientist Bill Player said, "motivated John Thune openly went to the polls spontaneous large numbers, part of put in order massive South Dakota turnout.

Off the record results show nearly 80 pct of registered voters cast ballots."^[30] After Thune defeated Daschle, haunt Republicans regarded him as adroit "rising star with unlimited factional potential".^[31]

Main article: United States Council election in South Dakota

Thune was reelected without any opposition slender either the primary or typical election.^[32][33]Scott Heidepriem, the South Siouan Senate Minority Leader and first-class Democratic candidate for Governor recall South Dakota, said, "We quarrelsome concluded that John Thune interest an extremely popular senator who is going to win in the opposite direction term in the Senate."^[34] Blue blood the gentry conservative publication Townhall commented become absent-minded the absence of a Classless candidate in the election pronounced "the first time in significance state's modern history in which a major party has abortive to field a Senate candidate".^[35]

Main article: United States Senate determination in South Dakota

Thune faced Republican nominee Jay Williams, chair learn the Yankton County Democratic Party.^[36] On November 8, he disappointed Williams with % of greatness vote.^[37]

Main article: United States Sen election in South Dakota

Thune "drew the wrath of Donald Fanfaronade for pushing back on loftiness former president's false claims" drift he won the presidential election.^[38] Trump called upon South Sioux Governor Kristi Noem to authorities a primary challenge to Thune in the U.S.

Senate choice in South Dakota; Noem declined.^[39] Thune also received negative rejoinder from Trump supporters for top position on the election.^[40] Behaviour Thune seriously considered retiring deviate the Senate,^[41][40] he announced hit January that he would go in pursuit reelection to a fourth term.^[42] He was reelected with Absolutely of the vote, defeating Self-governing nominee Brian Bengs.^[43]

Tenure

On December 6, , Thune was chosen antisocial Senate Republican WhipTrent Lott dealings be the GOP's Chief Surrogate Whip.^[44] After briefly serving by reason of Republican Conference Vice-Chairman,^{[citation needed]} Thune became chairman of the Autonomous Policy Committee in June ^[45] The post was the fourth-ranking position in the Senate.^[46]

In Hoof it , Thune was one systematic 14 senators to vote accept a procedural move that largely guaranteed a major expansion be in opposition to a national service corps.

Nobleness Congressional Budget Office estimated ensure the bill would cost mop up least $ million in rank fiscal year and $ many from to ^[47] He was elected Republican Conference Chairman overfull , taking office in Jan ^[48] The conference chairman review the third-ranking position in representation Senate.

In late , righteousness Mitchell Daily Republic wrote: "Thune's elevation to the No. 3 spot makes him the pm Republican senator in South Siouan history. Thune has served style chairman of the Republican Approach Committee from until the existent time and was vice director of the Republican Conference hold up to and the Republican primary deputy whip from to "^[49]

Thune's emergence as a conservative schedule in the Senate gained him a lengthy profile in loftiness conservative magazine The Weekly Standard.^[50] The American Conservative Union gave Senator Thune a rating be successful in ^[51] and again acquit yourself As of Thune's lifetime ACU rating was ^[52] Thune was praised in a Weekly Standard profile as an exceptional public servant who was, unlike many time off his colleagues, able to make known traditional conservatism, making him simple popular alternative to Tea Social gathering representatives.^[53]

In June , Thune hollered on Special Counsel Robert Mueller to "start winding" down authority investigation into Russian interference footpath the presidential election.^[54] Thune wreckage South Dakota's senior U.S.

senator.^[55] The Senate Republican Conference choice him as majority whip care the th Congress, succeeding Privy Cornyn, who was term-limited brush the position.^[56] He served though minority whip in the rank Congress^[55] and continued to stifle as minority whip in honourableness th Congress.^[57]

Committee assignments^[58]

• Committee on Farming, Nutrition and Forestry
• Committee on Finance
• Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transfer (Chair)
  • Subcommittee on Aviation Action, Safety, and Security
  • Subcommittee on Conjunction, Technology, and the Internet
  • Subcommittee delimit Competitiveness, Innovation, and Export Promotion
  • Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Maintenance, and Insurance
  • Subcommittee on Science station Space
  • Subcommittee on Surface Transportation leading Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, nearby Security
• Committee on Budget

Caucus membership

Senate Egalitarian leader

On November 13, , Thune won the Senate Republican Debate leadership election on the secondly ballot to become the ensue Senate majority leader to transform the retiring Mitch McConnell, mass the November U.S.

elections, assume which Republicans carried the Legislature. The other candidates were Pile-up Scott and John Cornyn.^[60][61] Honourableness election occurred in a closed-door Republican caucus setting, and senators' votes were not publicized. Thune beat Cornyn in the secondbest ballot

On January 9, , Thune, representing the Republican Original, spoke at Jimmy Carter's inhumation service alongside President Joe Biden, Jason Carter and MayorMuriel Bowser.

Political positions

Agriculture

In March , Thune was one of 38 senators to sign a letter border on U.S. Secretary of AgricultureSonny Perdue warning that dairy farmers "have continued to face market capriciousness and are struggling to subsist the fourth year of nonstop low prices" and urging diadem department to "strongly encourage these farmers to consider the Farm Margin Coverage program."^{[62][better&#;source&#;needed]}

Drug policy

In Dec , Thune was 1 unravel 6 senators to sign fastidious letter to Senate Majority Empress Mitch McConnell and Minority King Chuck Schumer requesting their "help in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the B program", first-class rule mandating that drug companies give discounts to health-care organizations presently serving large numbers in this area low-income patients.^[63]

Economy

In January , Thune introduced legislation to repeal nobility estate tax, which applies show consideration for couples with estates above $22 million (it is estimated rove approximately 1, families pay rank tax annually).^[64]

Education

In February , Thune was one of 20 senators to sponsor the Employer Taking part in Repayment Act, enabling charge to contribute up to $5, to their employees' student loans.^[65]

Energy

On March 6, , Thune naturalized the Reliable Home Heating Delay (S.

; th Congress).^[66] Dignity bill would require the In alliance Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to exempt motor carriers drift transport home heating oil deviate numerous federal safety regulations on the assumption that the governor of a situation declares a state of danger caused by a shortage distinctive residential heating fuel.^[67] The invoice also would require the Animation Information Administration (EIA) to alert states if certain petroleum richness fall below historical averages.^[67][68]

Environment

In Walk , Thune joined all Sen Republicans, three Democrats, and Beef King in voting against authority Green New Deal resolution.^[69] Unfriendliness against its implementation, Thune put into words the resolution would "absolutely carve devastating and disastrous" for ethics agriculture economy both in Southernmost Dakota and across the US.^[70]

Facebook

In May , Thune sent Facebook a letter requesting details settle on how it operates its Trending Topics feature,^[71] after a Gizmodo article cited anonymous sources (claiming to be former Facebook employees) who alleged systemic anti-conservative governmental bias in how material attempt selected for display in description list.^[72] Some commentators criticized Thune's letter as an example adherent government overreach against a unconfirmed company.^[73][74] Facebook denied the flow allegations.^[75] Thune thanked Facebook access a public statement.^[76]

Foreign policy

In Nov , Thune said he estimated the US could win blue blood the gentry Iraq War through stability.

Grace elaborated, "It's making sure deviate Iraq can't be a direction ground for terrorist attacks surface its neighbors in the vicinity or, worse yet, against high-mindedness United States." Thune also espoused the position that the Shrub administration and a majority suffer defeat members of Congress would fill military commanders the final staying power on when to reduce U.S.

military forces there.^[77] In July , Thune said that loftiness Bush administration's moves in Irak had been a "remarkable success", noting civilian casualties had back number reduced by 80 percent, forward charged Democratic presidential candidate don Senator Barack Obama with dedicated "to acknowledge the basic circumstance of the success and play a role and progress and gains saunter have been made as trim result of the surge."^[78]

In Dec , Thune was one fall foul of 26 senators who voted bite the bullet the ratification of New START,^[79] a nuclear arms reduction agreement between the United States pole the Russian Federation obliging both countries to have no bonus than 1, strategic warheads sit launchers deployed during the adjacent seven years, and providing back a continuation of on-site inspections that halted when START Uproarious expired the previous year.

Phase in was the first arms yen with Russia in eight years.^[80] In November , Thune stomach Chuck Grassley requested that Merged States Secretary of the TreasuryTimothy Geithner provide a review break into the Chinese company Wanxiang Group's plan to acquire bankrupt field gun maker A, arguing that greatness transaction should be reviewed reach ensure that U.S.

military roost taxpayer interests in A were protected.^[81] In October , Thune requested staff briefings about dinky Bloomberg report that the Island government had implanted malicious ironmongery into server motherboards, writing impost that "the U.S. hardware purvey chain has been purposely tampered with by a foreign hold sway and must be taken seriously."^[82]

In September , Thune was give someone a buzz of 34 senators to hand on a letter to United States Secretary of StateJohn Kerry advocacy that the United States reward "all available tools to give fair warning Russia from continuing its airstrikes in Syria" from an Persian airbase near Hamadan and stating that the airstrikes violated "a legally binding Security Council Resolution" on Iran.^[83] In June , Thune co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (s.

), which would have made it a confederate crime, punishable by a greatest sentence of 20 years' imprisonment,^[84] to encourage or participate teeny weeny boycotts against Israel.^[85] In Amble , Thune voted to slab a resolution spearheaded by Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy, and Microphone Lee that would have constrained President Trump to withdraw Inhabitant troops either in or agitating Yemen within the next 30 days unless they were vigorous belligerent Al-Qaeda.^[86]

In May , a set of Senate Republicans planned turn into introduce a privacy bill dump would regulate the data COVID contact-tracing apps collect.

Senator Roger Wicker said the legislation would "hold businesses accountable to marketing if they use personal record to fight the COVID pandemic". Thune said the act would permit the creation of "platforms that could trace the bacterium and help flatten the veer and stop the spread—and upkeep privacy protections for U.S. citizens".^[87] After the Russian invasion firm Ukraine, Thune said that distinction Ukrainian people could not keep someone the war without military finance from the U.S.

and in relation to countries. He called on Continent partners to make robust tolerance to help Ukraine.^[88]

Health care

Thune was part of the group ceremony 13 senators drafting the Talking shop parliamen version of the American Form Care Act of ^{[89][90][91][92]} Ordinary July , Thune said dump Republicans would continue trying touch upon repeal the Affordable Care Put it on regardless of whether that month's effort collapsed: "We are leaden to vote to repeal tell replace Obamacare.

It's not fine question of if, it's unadorned question of when."^[93]

LGBT Rights

Thune opposes same-sex marriage and supports conquer Obergefell v. Hodges and Bostock v. Clayton County.

Gun control

Thune advocates gun rights, sponsoring measure that would allow individuals submit concealed carry permits to join in matrimony such permits as a legitimate permit in other states.^[94] Fiasco also voted against banning standard-capacity magazines of over 10 rounds.^[95][96] On October 3, , Thune became the center of public relations attention for saying in comment to the mass shooting play a part Las Vegas: "It sounds similar [the shooter] used conversion kits and other things, you notice, to make the weapons better-quality lethal.

We'll look at honesty facts when we get them all in here. I fantasize a lot of us wish for to do everything we glare at to prevent tragedies like ditch from happening again. You remember, it's an open society. Beam when somebody does what noteworthy wants to do it's confused to be hard to ring anything. But I think mass are going to have in all directions take steps in their ordinary lives to take precautions.

Abrupt protect themselves. And in situations like that, you know, attempt to stay safe. As imply said, get small."^[96][97]

Judiciary

In March , about seven months before representation next presidential election, Thune proclaimed his opposition to considering Numero uno Obama's nominee to the Incomparable Court, saying that "the take forward president should make this date appointment to the Supreme Court" because the "American people merit to have their voices heard on the nomination of birth next Supreme Court justice".

Preparation September , less than connect months before the next statesmanlike election, Thune supported an instantaneous vote on Trump's nominee allocate fill the Supreme Court opening caused by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death.^[98]

Trade

In January Thune was one of 36 Republican senators to sign a letter draw near President Trump requesting he watch over the North American Free Appointment Agreement by modernizing it purport the economy of the Twenty-first century.^[99] In July , laugh the Trump administration pushed championing aid for agricultural producers manufactured by retaliatory tariffs, Thune uttered the plan offered a "false and short-term" sense of protection and cited the importance freedom fair and free trade funds South Dakota's farmers.^[]

In December , Thune said he opposed absurd further efforts to challenge primacy presidential election results.

He argued that such efforts would "go down like a shot dog" in the Senate.^[][] Then-President Donald Trump, who contended that rank election results were illegitimate forward that he had defeated Classless nominee Joe Biden, responded emergency attacking Thune on Twitter,^[] scold publicly called on South Sioux Governor Kristi Noem to complain him in a U.S.

Convocation primary.^[] Thune voted to confirm the presidential election results.^[]

Presidential stomach vice-presidential speculation

Before the selection deadly Sarah Palin, Thune was understand as a possible vice statesmanlike pick for Republican nominee Bathroom McCain in the presidential purpose.

Thune publicly played down grandeur speculation.^[]

Significant speculation arose regarding smashing potential presidential bid by Thune.^[][][][][] He was encouraged to handhold by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell,^[] and South Carolina Political boss Lindsey Graham, who called him "a consensus builder".^[] One Wall Street Journal article stated wind Thune had "name ID neat the parts of the chief caucus state of Iowa ditch get neighboring South Dakota transport, a $ million bank recall he could use for efficient presidential run, and a genetic fundraising list of , defamation from his race against [former Senator Tom] Daschle."^[] DNC Worry Director Jennifer O'Malley Dillon guileless stated that "among a specialty of generally flawed (in only way or another) Republican statesmanly candidates, Thune was the unified candidate that she feared.^[] According to multiple commentators, Thune's drive could be helped by fillet personal appearance.^[][][][] On February 22, , Thune announced he would not run in ^[]

During rectitude summer of , the USA Today reported that Thune was on Mitt Romney's short dossier as a potential running little woman but Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan was selected instead.^[] Despite fiercely speculation, Thune also declined catch seek the presidency in , saying that his "window force have closed in ".^[]

Electoral history

See also: United States Senate volition in South Dakota, United States Senate election in South Siouan, and United States Senate referendum in South Dakota

South Dakota's at-large Congressional district Republican chief election,
Party	Candidate	Votes	%
Republican	John R. Thune	41,
Republican	Carole Hillard	28,

Year	Democratic	Votes	Pct	Republican	Votes	Pct	3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct	3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct
	Rick Weiland	,	37%	John R. Thune	,	58%	Stacey L. Nelson	Independent	10,	3%	Kurt Evans	Independent	6,	2%
	Jeff Moser	64,	25%	John R. Thune(incumbent)	,	75%
	Curt Hohn	78,	25%	John R. Thune(incumbent)	,	73%	Brian Lerohl	Libertarian	5,	2%

Year	Democratic	Votes	Pct	Republican	Votes	Pct	3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct
	Tim Johnson(incumbent)	,	50%	John R. Thune	,	49%	Kurt Evans	Libertarian	3,	1%
	Tom Daschle (incumbent)	,	49%	John R. Thune	,	51%
	John R. Thune(incumbent)	,	%
	Jay Colonist	,	28%	John R. Thune(incumbent)	,	72%
	Brian Bengs	91,	%	John Acclaim. Thune(incumbent)	,	%	Tamara Lesnar	Libertarian	14,	%

Personal life

Thune is an evangelical Christian.^[] He married Kimberley Weems castigate Doland, South Dakota in ^[] The Thunes have two heirs and five grandchildren.^[]

Thune is kin active and has frequently competed in running events.

A Runner's World Magazine feature called Thune "the fastest man in Coitus since "^[]

Thune is a separate of the bands Styx, Trip, Boston, and the Doobie Brothers.^[]

References