How does the Senate Republican leader race work? Who has a vote?

The Senate Republican leader race is a crucial internal election that determines who will guide the party’s agenda and strategy in the upper chamber of Congress. Following Mitch McConnell’s announcement that he will step down from his leadership role at the end of the year, a competitive race has emerged to succeed him.

Sen. Rick Scott, along with Senators John Thune of South Dakota and John Cornyn of Texas also vying for the position. The election for the new leader will take place in a closed-door conference meeting.

The voting process behind the next leader of the Senate Republicans

The election for the new Senate Republican leader is conducted through a secret ballot among GOP senators. To win, a candidate must secure a simple majority of votes from their colleagues.

If no contender achieves this on the first ballot, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, leading to a runoff between the top two candidates.

All Republican senators, including newly elected ones, have a vote in this leadership election.

The leadership election is scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, following a candidates’ forum to be hosted by Senator Mike Lee of Utah on Tuesday.