Politics

Barrasso becomes No. 2 Senate leader

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Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) won the election to become Senate majority whip on Wednesday, cementing him as the No. 2 leader in the Republican conference for the foreseeable future.

Barrasso was uncontested for the post, having served for six years as Senate GOP conference chair and in control of Republican messaging. He won the role by acclamation, according to a source with knowledge of the vote.

He can serve up to six years in the role. 

The Wyoming Republican was considered a contender to become Republican leader as part of the “Three Johns,” especially as he is known as a more ardent ally of President-elect Trump than Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas)

Instead, he decided to run for the No. 2 post as the top vote wrangler, as he was the only one of the three eligible for the whip position. 

Thune’s six-year tenure expires at the end of the year, while Cornyn served in the post from 2013 until 2019.