John Thune

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Thune
John Thune 117th Congress portrait.jpg
Senate Minority Whip
Assumed office
January 20, 2021
LeaderMitch McConnell
Preceded byDick Durbin
Senate Majority Whip
In office
January 3, 2019 – January 20, 2021
LeaderMitch McConnell
Preceded byJohn Cornyn
Succeeded byDick Durbin
United States Senator
from South Dakota
Assumed office
January 3, 2005
Serving with Mike Rounds
Preceded byTom Daschle
Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee
In office
January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2019
LeaderMitch McConnell
Preceded byJay Rockefeller
Succeeded byRoger Wicker
Chair of the Senate Republican Conference
In office
January 26, 2012 – January 3, 2019
Preceded byLamar Alexander
Succeeded byJohn Barrasso
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Dakota's at-large district
In office
January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2003
Preceded byTim Johnson
Succeeded byBill Janklow
Personal details
Born
John Randolph Thune

(1961-01-07) January 7, 1961 (age 60)
Pierre, South Dakota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Kimberley Weems
​
(m. 1984)​
Children2
EducationBiola University (BA)
University of South Dakota (MBA)
WebsiteSenate website

John Randolph Thune (/ˈθuːn/ THOON; born January 7, 1961) is an American businessman and politician serving as the senior United States Senator from South Dakota, a seat he was first elected to in 2004. A member of the Republican Party, he has served as Senate Minority Whip since 2021.

Thune has worked in politics and civic organizations since completing his MBA degree. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives for South Dakota's at-large congressional district from 1997 to 2003. In the United States Senate, he served as the Republican Chief Deputy Whip from 2007 to 2009 and as chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee from 2009 to 2012. He served as the Senate Republican Conference chair from 2012 to 2019, the third-ranking position in the Senate.

Thune became South Dakota's senior U.S. Senator upon Tim Johnson's retirement in 2015. He is the dean of South Dakota's congressional delegation. The Senate Republican Conference selected Thune as Majority Whip for the 116th Congress, succeeding Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who was term-limited in the position.[1] He serves as Minority Whip in the 117th Congress.

Early life, education, and political career[]

Thune was born in Pierre, South Dakota, the son of Yvonne Patricia (née Bodine) and Harold Richard Thune.[2][3] Harold Thune was a fighter pilot in the Pacific theater during World War II who flew the Grumman F6F Hellcat. KELO News reported that "Thune flew numerous missions for the Navy from an aircraft carrier. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down four enemy planes in the Hellcat."[4] Harold Thune flew his missions off the USS Intrepid. Thune's paternal grandfather, Nicholas Thune, was an immigrant from Norway who partnered with his brother Matt to start Thune Hardware stores in Mitchell and Murdo, South Dakota. Thune's maternal grandfather was from Ontario, Canada, and his mother was born in Saskatchewan.[5] Thune's brother, Richard Thune, is an English teacher at Rowland High School in California.

Thune was a star athlete in high school,[6] active in basketball, track, and football. He graduated from Jones County High School in 1979.[7] He played college basketball at Biola University in California, from which he graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business.[8][9] Thune received a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of South Dakota in 1984.[10]

After completing his MBA, Thune became involved in politics. He worked as a legislative aide for U.S. Senator James Abdnor from 1985 to 1987.[11] In 1980 Abdnor had defeated U.S. Senator George McGovern.[12]

In 1989 Thune moved back to Pierre, where he served as executive director of the state Republican Party for two years.[13] Thune was appointed Railroad Director of South Dakota by Governor George S. Mickelson, serving from 1991 to 1993. From 1993 to 1996 he was executive director of the South Dakota Municipal League.[13]

U.S. House of Representatives (1997–2003)[]

Elections[]

In 1996 Thune decided to make his first foray into electoral politics by entering the race for South Dakota's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Almanac of American Politics said that Thune "entered the 1996 race as very much an underdog."[14] His primary opponent was sitting Lieutenant Governor Carole Hillard of Rapid City, who benefited from the support of the longtime South Dakota Governor Bill Janklow. A May 1996 poll showed Hillard ahead of Thune 69%-15%.[14] By relying on strong personal skills and the help of his old network of Abdnor friends, Thune won the primary, defeating Hillard 59%-41%.[15] In the general election, Thune defeated Democrat Rick Weiland, a long-serving aide to U.S. Senator Tom Daschle, 58%-37%.[16]

Thune won his subsequent races for U.S. House by wide margins. He was reelected in 1998 with 75% of the vote[17] and in 2000 with 73% of the vote.[18] In 2002, after briefly considering a run for governor, Thune set his sights on a run for the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Senate (2005–present)[]

Thune in 2010 (111th Congress)

Elections[]

2002[]

Main article: 2002 United States Senate election in South Dakota

In 2002 Thune challenged incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tim Johnson. Thune lost by only 524 votes (0.15%).[19] One study concluded: "While the margin of victory [for Johnson] was a mere 524 votes, getting into that winning position required a number of important factors, including Native American turnout, the ability of Johnson and his allies to more effectively use the ground war to get their message out, Thune's ineffectiveness on the air and lack of experience in winning competitive elections, low voter turnout in key Republican counties, the drought, and finally the presence of Kurt Evans. Evans, a Libertarian candidate who withdrew from the race, endorsed Thune, but remained on the ballot and siphoned away more votes from Thune than Johnson. Evans received only 3,070 votes, but that ended up being six times greater than the margin of victory."[20] Despite the close results, Thune did not contest the election.[21]

2004[]

Main article: 2004 United States Senate election in South Dakota

In 2004 Thune challenged Tom Daschle, the United States Senate Minority Leader and leader of the Senate Democrats. In early 2003 Daschle had unexpectedly decided not to run for president. CNN reported that the "announcement surprised even some of his closest aides, one of whom told CNN plans were being made for Daschle to announce his candidacy Saturday in his hometown of Aberdeen, South Dakota."[22]

This was the most expensive Senate race in 2004, with $30 million spent,[23] and the most expensive race in South Dakota history. It was widely followed in the national media. Thune, along with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, President George W. Bush, and Vice President Dick Cheney, described Daschle as the "chief obstructionist" of Bush's agenda: "Thune was able to criticize 'Daschle for serving incompatible masters' and portray him, as Frist did when he came to South Dakota to campaign for Thune, as a partisan obstructionist and political heir to liberal icon and former Senator George McGovern of South Dakota."[24]

Daschle's critics charged the Democrat with using filibusters to block confirmation of several of Bush's nominees to the federal judiciary and of being out of step with South Dakota voters on other political and social issues: "The GOP had targeted Daschle, the Senate minority leader, claiming he had been the chief obstruction to President Bush on such issues as tax cuts, judicial nominees and the war in Iraq."[25]

When the race began in early 2004, Daschle led by 7% in January and February. By May, his lead fell to just 2% and into the summer, polls showed an effective tie. Throughout September, Daschle led Thune by margins of 2–5%; from October until the November 2 election, most polls showed Thune and Daschle tied 49% to 49% among likely voters.

On November 2, 2004, Thune defeated Daschle by 4,508 votes, winning 51% of the vote. Daschle's loss was the first ousting of an incumbent Floor Leader since 1952, when Arizona Senator Ernest McFarland lost to Barry Goldwater. The New York Times reported that the loss made "Mr. Daschle the first Senate party leader in more than five decades to be voted out of office. The race had been closely watched by both parties, with White House officials calling the senator an obstructionist for opposing the president on the war in Iraq, tax cuts and judicial nominees. Senator Daschle had fought hard, raising $16 million during the campaign as of mid-October, which he spent largely on television advertisements. Mr. Thune had raised $10 million by the same time."[26]

South Dakota native Tom Brokaw commented that Thune "ran a very strong campaign" to win the 2004 race.[27] University of South Dakota political scientist Bill Richardson said, "motivated John Thune supporters went to the polls in large numbers, part of a massive South Dakota turnout. Unofficial results show nearly 80 percent of registered voters cast ballots."[28]

After Thune defeated Daschle, many Republicans regarded him as a "rising star with unlimited political potential."[29]

2010[]

Main article: 2010 United States Senate election in South Dakota

Thune was re-elected 2010 without any opposition in either the primary or general elections.[30][31] Scott Heidepriem, the South Dakota Senate Minority Leader and a Democratic candidate for Governor of South Dakota, said, "We just concluded that John Thune is an extremely popular senator who is going to win another term in the Senate."[32] The conservative publication Townhall commented that the absence of a Democratic candidate in the election marked "the first time in the state's modern history in which a major party has failed to field a Senate candidate."[33]

2016[]

Main article: 2016 United States Senate election in South Dakota

In 2016 Thune faced Democratic candidate Jay Williams, Chair of the Yankton County Democratic Party.[34] On November 8, 2016, Thune defeated Williams, winning 71.8% of the vote.[35]

Tenure[]

On December 6, 2006, Thune was chosen by Senate Republican Whip Trent Lott to be the GOP's Chief Deputy Whip.[36] After briefly serving as Republican Conference Vice-Chairman, in June 2009 Thune became chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, the fourth-ranking position in the Senate.

In March 2009 Thune was one of 14 senators to vote against a procedural move that essentially guarantees a major expansion of a national service corps. The Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill would cost at least $418 million in the fiscal year 2010 and $5.7 billion from 2010 to 2014.[37]

He was elected Republican Conference Chairman in 2011, taking office in January 2012.[38] The Conference Chairman is the third-ranking position in the US Senate. In late 2011 the Mitchell Daily Republic reported that "Thune's elevation to the No. 3 spot makes him the highest-ranking Republican senator in South Dakota history. Thune has served as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee from 2009 until the present time and was vice chairman of the Republican Conference from 2008 to 2009 and the Republican chief deputy whip from 2006 to 2008."[39]

Thune's emergence as a conservative voice in the Senate gained him a lengthy profile in the conservative magazine The Weekly Standard.[40] The American Conservative Union gave Senator Thune a rating of 100 in 2006[41] and again in 2010. As of 2020 Thune's lifetime ACU rating was 84.11.[42] Thune was praised in a 2010 Weekly Standard profile as an exceptional politician who was, unlike many of his colleagues, able to communicate traditional conservatism, making him a popular alternative to Tea Party representatives.[43]

Russia investigation[]

In June 2018, Thune called on Special Counsel Robert Mueller to "start winding" down his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.[44]

Committee assignments[45]

  • Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
    • Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit
    • Subcommittee on Energy, Science and Technology
    • Subcommittee on Production, Income Protection and Price Support
  • Committee on Finance
  • Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Chair)
    • Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
    • Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet
    • Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation, and Export Promotion
    • Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance
    • Subcommittee on Science and Space
    • Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security
  • Committee on Budget

Caucus membership

Political positions[]

Agriculture[]

In March 2019, Thune was one of 38 senators to sign a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue warning that dairy farmers "have continued to face market instability and are struggling to survive the fourth year of sustained low prices" and urging his department to "strongly encourage these farmers to consider the Dairy Margin Coverage program."[47][better source needed]

Drug policy[]

In December 2017, Thune was one of six senators to sign a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer requesting their "help in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the 340B program", a Trump administration rule mandating that drug companies give discounts to health-care organizations presently serving large numbers of low-income patients.[48]

Economy[]

In January 2019, Thune introduced legislation to repeal the estate tax, which applies to couples with estates above $22 million (it is estimated that approximately 1,700 families pay the tax annually).[49]

Education[]

In February 2019, Thune was one of 20 senators to sponsor the Employer Participation in Repayment Act, enabling employers to contribute up to $5,250 to their employees' student loans. Thune noted the strong state of the economy and said they should keep their "foot on the gas by passing common-sense bills like the one Senator Warner and I have proposed that would give young career seekers additional tools to help overcome the burden of student loan debt and empower employers to attract future talent."[50]

Energy[]

Since becoming a senator, Thune has taken a leading role in formulating energy policy.[citation needed] He pushed for the final passage of a comprehensive energy bill, which overcame a series of Democratic filibusters and passed the Senate in 2005.[citation needed] Thune helped pass another energy bill in late 2007.[51] Thune advocates developing alternative sources of energy such as ethanol and wind energy; South Dakota has high levels of corn production and windy prairies to produce these forms of energy.[citation needed]

On March 6, 2014, Thune introduced the Reliable Home Heating Act (S. 2086; 113th Congress).[52] The bill would require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to exempt motor carriers that transport home heating oil from numerous federal safety regulations if the governor of a state declares a state of emergency caused by a shortage of residential heating fuel.[53] The bill also would require the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to notify states if certain petroleum reserves fall below historical averages.[53] Thune said he was "hopeful that this legislation will eliminate red tape for governors to better meet the needs of their residents and businesses during what can be very dangerous conditions."[54]

Environment[]

In March 2019, Thune joined all Senate Republicans, three Democrats, and Angus King in voting against the Green New Deal resolution.[55] Arguing against its implementation, Thune said the resolution would "absolutely be devastating and disastrous" for the agriculture economy both in South Dakota and across the US.[56]

Facebook[]

In May 2016, Thune sent Facebook a letter requesting details on how it operates its Trending Topics feature.[57] This followed a Gizmodo article that cited anonymous sources, claiming to be former Facebook employees, who alleged a systemic anti-conservative political bias in how material is selected for display in the list.[58]

Some commentators criticized Thune's letter as an example of government overreach against a private company.[59][60][61] Facebook denied the bias allegations.[62] Thune thanked Facebook in a statement[63] saying, "Private companies are fully entitled to espouse their own views, so I appreciate Facebook's efforts to address allegations of bias raised in the media and my concern about a lack of transparency in its methodology for determining trending topics."

Foreign policy[]

In November 2006 Thune said he believed the US could win the Iraq War through stability. He elaborated, "It's making sure that Iraq can't be a staging ground for terrorist attacks against its neighbors in the region or, worse yet, against the United States. I think that is the minimum requirement. We have to achieve security and stability there, or at least a level of stability that doesn't lead to further chaos, violence and ultimately future terrorist attacks against the United States." Thune also espoused the position that while President Bush was open to more strategies in Iraq, his administration and a majority of members of Congress would grant military commanders the final decision on when to reduce U.S. military forces there.[64] In July 2008 Thune said that the Bush administration's moves in Iraq had been a "remarkable success", noting civilian casualties had been reduced by 80 percent, and charged Democratic presidential candidate and Senator Barack Obama with failing "to acknowledge the basic fact of the success and result and progress and gains that have been made as a result of the surge."[65]

In December 2010 Thune was one of 26 senators who voted against the ratification of New START,[66] a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation obliging both countries to have no more than 1,550 strategic warheads and 700 launchers deployed during the next seven years, and providing for a continuation of on-site inspections that halted when START I expired the previous year. It was the first arms treaty with Russia in eight years.[67]

In November 2012 Thune and Chuck Grassley requested that United States Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner provide a review of the Chinese company Wanxiang Group's plan to acquire bankrupt battery maker A123, arguing that the transaction should be reviewed by the Geithner-led Committee on Foreign Investment to ensure that U.S. military and taxpayer interests in A123 were protected.[68] In October 2018 Thune sent letters to chief executives of Apple Inc, Amazon.com Inc and Supermicro requesting staff briefings about a Bloomberg report that the Chinese government had implanted malicious hardware into server motherboards provided by Supermicro, writing that charges "that the U.S. hardware supply chain has been purposely tampered with by a foreign power must be taken seriously."[69]

In September 2016 Thune was one of 34 senators to sign a letter to United States Secretary of State John Kerry advocating that the United States use "all available tools to dissuade Russia from continuing its airstrikes in Syria" from an Iranian airbase near Hamadan "that are clearly not in our interest" and stating that the airstrikes violated "a legally binding Security Council Resolution" on Iran.[70]

In June 2017, Thune co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (s. 720), which made it a federal crime, punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment,[71] for Americans to encourage or participate in boycotts against Israel and Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories if protesting actions by the Israeli government.[72]

In March 2018 Thune voted to table a resolution spearheaded by Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy, and Mike Lee that would have required President Trump to withdraw American troops either in or influencing Yemen within the next 30 days unless they were combating Al-Qaeda.[73]

In May 2020, group of Senate Republicans is planning to introduce a privacy bill that would regulate the data coronavirus contact-tracing apps collect. The COVID-19 Consumer Data Protection Act would “provide all Americans with more transparency, choice, and control over the collection and use of their personal health, geolocation, and proximity data”, according to a joint statement. Senator Roger Wicker said the legislation would also “hold businesses accountable to consumers if they use personal data to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.” The act would permit the creation of “platforms that could trace the virus and help flatten the curve and stop the spread—and maintaining privacy protections for U.S. citizens,” Thune said.[74]

Health care[]

Thune was part of the group of 13 senators drafting the Senate version of the American Health Care Act behind closed doors.[75][76][77][78]

In July 2017 Thune said that Republicans would continue trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act regardless of whether that month's effort collapsed: "We are going to vote to repeal and replace Obamacare. It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when."[79]

Judiciary[]

In March 2016, about seven months before the next presidential election, Thune declared his opposition to considering President Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court, saying, "the next president should make this lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court" because the "American people deserve to have their voices heard on the nomination of the next Supreme Court justice". In September 2020, less than two months before the next presidential election, Thune supported an immediate vote on Trump's nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy caused by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death.[80]

Second Amendment[]

Thune is a strong advocate of gun rights, sponsoring legislation that would allow individuals with concealed carry permits to use such permits as a valid permit in other states.[81] He also voted against banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets.[82][83]

On October 3, 2017, Thune became the center of media attention for his response to the mass shooting in Las Vegas. "It sounds like [the shooter] used conversion kits and other things, you know, to make the weapons more lethal," he said. "We'll look at the facts when we get them all in here. I think a lot of us want to do everything we can to prevent tragedies like that from happening again. You know, it's an open society. And when somebody does what he wants to do it's going to be hard to prevent anything. But I think people are going to have to take steps in their own lives to take precautions. To protect themselves. And in situations like that, you know, try to stay safe. As somebody said, get small."[83][84]

Trade[]

In January 2018 Thune was one of 36 Republican senators to sign a letter to President Trump requesting he preserve the North American Free Trade Agreement by modernizing it for the economy of the 21st century.[85]

In July 2018, as the Trump administration pushed for aid for agricultural producers affected by retaliatory tariffs, Thune stated that the plan offered a "false and short-term" sense of security and cited the importance of fair and free trade for farmers in South Dakota.[86]

2021 storming of the United States Capitol[]

On May 28, 2021, Thune voted against creating an independent commission to investigate the January 6 insurrection.[87]

Presidential and vice-presidential speculation[]

Prior to the selection of Sarah Palin, Thune was mentioned as a possible vice presidential pick for Republican nominee John McCain in the 2008 presidential election. Thune publicly played down the speculation.[88]

Significant speculation arose regarding a potential 2012 presidential bid by Thune.[89][90][91][92][93] He was encouraged to run by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell,[94] and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who called him "a consensus builder."[95] One Wall Street Journal article stated that Thune had "name ID in the parts of the first caucus state of Iowa that get neighboring South Dakota media, a $6.9 million bank account he could use for a presidential run, and a national fundraising list of 100,000 names from his race against [former Senator Tom] Daschle."[96] DNC Executive Director Jennifer O'Malley Dillon publicly stated that "among a field of generally flawed (in one way or another) Republican presidential candidates, there is one who genuinely scares her. 'This is personal[,] but John Thune is somebody that I have nightmares about,' she said. 'I've worked for Tim Johnson and Tom Daschle and he is just a guy you can't ever count out.'"[97] According to multiple commentators, Thune's candidacy could be helped by his personal appearance (he "looks like a president").[98][99][100][101] On February 22, 2011, Thune announced he would not run in 2012.[102]

During the summer of 2012 the USA Today reported that "South Dakota's Thune is on [the] short list for vice president," but Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan was instead selected as the running mate of Republican nominee Mitt Romney.[103]

Despite some speculation, Thune declined to seek the White House in 2016, stating that his "window...might have closed in 2012."[104]

Electoral history[]

See also: 2010 United States Senate election in South Dakota and 2016 United States Senate election in South Dakota
South Dakota's at-large Congressional district Republican primary election, 1996
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican CheckedJohn R. Thune 41,322 59.49
Republican Carole Hillard 28,139 40.51
South Dakota's at-large congressional district: Results 1996–2000[105]
Year Democratic Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct
1996 Rick Weiland 119,547 37% CheckedJohn R. Thune 186,393 58% Stacey L. Nelson Independent 10,397 3% Kurt Evans Independent 6,866 2%
1998 64,433 25% CheckedJohn R. Thune 194,157 75%
2000 78,321 25% CheckedJohn R. Thune 231,083 73% Brian Lerohl Libertarian 5,357 2%
Senate elections in South Dakota: Results 2002–2016[105]
Year Democratic Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct
2002 CheckedTim Johnson 167,481 50% John R. Thune 166,949 49% Kurt Evans Libertarian 3,071 1%
2004 Tom Daschle 193,340 49% CheckedJohn R. Thune 197,848 51%
2010 CheckedJohn R. Thune 227,947 100%
2016 Jay Williams 104,140 28.2% CheckedJohn R. Thune 265,516 71.8%
Thune and his wife Kimberley with Vice President Dick Cheney

Personal life[]

Thune is an evangelical Christian,[106] and married Kimberley Weems of Doland, South Dakota in 1984.[93] They have two daughters and four grandchildren.[107]

He is physically active and has frequently competed in running events. A 2012 Runner's World Magazine feature called Thune "the fastest man in Congress since 2009."[108]

Thune is a fan of the bands Styx, Journey, Boston, and the Doobie Brothers.[109]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Wagner, John; DeBonis, Mike (November 14, 2018). "Congressional leadership elections: McConnell and Schumer keep the top spots; Pelosi seeks to shore up votes for speaker". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  2. ^ "John Thune ancestry". Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  3. ^ "2012 Presidential Candidates Parents and Grandparents comparison". 2012.presidential-candidates.org. Archived from the original on March 1, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  4. ^ "KELOLAND.com - Harold Thune: Fighter Pilot Signs Artwork". keloland.com. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  5. ^ "John Randolph Thune". rootsweb.com. Retrieved February 29, 2008.
  6. ^ Brooks, David (November 13, 2009). "Meet John Thune". The New York Times. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  7. ^ "John Thune Biography". Bio. biography.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  8. ^ "Biola, Family Among Influences for Alumnus Senator". The Chimes. Biola University. February 21, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  9. ^ "After Biola". Biola University. Archived from the original on April 2, 2008. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
  10. ^ "Washington Post article". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  11. ^ McCutcheon, Michael; Barone, Chuck (2013). 2014 Almanac of American Politics. The University of Chicago Press.
  12. ^ "E. James "Jim" Abdnor Obituary". Rapid City Journal. Legacy.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b "Revolving Door: John Thune Employment Summary - OpenSecrets". opensecrets.org. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b "South Dakota - Rep. John Thune (R)". 1998 Almanac. nationaljournal.com. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  15. ^ "SD At-Large - R Primary Race - Jun 04, 1996". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  16. ^ "SD At-Large Race - Nov 05, 1996". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  17. ^ "SD At-Large Race - Nov 03, 1998". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  18. ^ "SD At-Large Race - Nov 07, 2000". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  19. ^ Ambinder, Marc J. (November 13, 2002). "Thune Concedes in South Dakota". ABC News. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  20. ^ "Apsanet.org" (PDF). Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  21. ^ "Thune Won't Contest Loss in Senate Race". Los Angeles Times. November 14, 2002. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  22. ^ Karl, Jonathan (January 7, 2003). "Daschle decides not to run for president". CNN. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  23. ^ Madden, Mike (November 2004). "Daschle, Thune running close in costly race". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
  24. ^ Eisele, Albert (November 16, 2007). "The South Dakota showdown". The Hill. Archived from the original on December 9, 2007. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
  25. ^ "Daschle Loses S.D. Seat to Thune". Fox News. Associated Press. November 3, 2004. Archived from the original on May 23, 2007. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
  26. ^ "South Dakota". The New York Times. November 4, 2004.
  27. ^ "South Dakota Politics: Brokaw". Southdakotapolitics.blogs.com. November 24, 2004. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  28. ^ "MPR: Daschle goes down to defeat in South Dakota". Minnesota Public Radio. Archived from the original on January 8, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  29. ^ Bolton, Alexander (July 16, 2012). "John Thune rising: GOP senator on Romney's veepstakes and his future". The Hill. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  30. ^ Woster, Kevin (April 2, 2010). "Strolling back to the Senate? No opposition for Thune". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  31. ^ Bartnick, Kelly (November 7, 2020). "Thune Weighs In On Election Impact In D.C." KELO-TV. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  32. ^ Brokaw, Chet (April 1, 2010). "S.D. Dems Skip Senate Race Against GOP's Thune". Yankton Press & Dakotan. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  33. ^ Walsh, Brian (July 13, 2010). "2010 Race of the Day: Taking Back South Dakota". Townhall. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  34. ^ Sneve, Joe (February 19, 2016). "Yankton Democrat expected to challenge Thune". Argus Leader. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  35. ^ "South Dakota State Unofficial Election Results". South Dakota Secretary of State. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  36. ^ Scheck, Tom (December 6, 2006). "Lott picks Coleman as Deputy Minority Whip". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  37. ^ Phillips, Kate (March 23, 2009). "National Service Corps Bill Clears Senate Hurdle". The New York Times. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  38. ^ "Thune Elected to Serve as Republican Conference Chairman". senate.gov. December 13, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  39. ^ "Roll Call – Congress, Capitol Hill, Political Campaigns, Elections & Washington, D.C." illumen.org. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  40. ^ Hayes, Stephen F. "Dakota Dreaming". The Weekly Standard. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  41. ^ "2006 U. S. Congress Ratings". Acuratings.org. Archived from the original on September 3, 2007. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  42. ^ "Sen. John Thune". American Conservative Union Foundation. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  43. ^ Hayes, Stephen (October 4, 2010). "Dakota Dreaming". Weekly Standard. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  44. ^ Schor, Elana; Cheney, Kyle (June 13, 2018). "Mueller-friendly Republicans losing patience with probe". Politico. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  45. ^ "Committee Assignments". thune.senate.gov. Office of Senator John Thune. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  46. ^ "Members". Afterschool Alliance. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  47. ^ "U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on Trump Administration to Implement Farm Bill Dairy Improvements for Wisconsin Dairy Farmers". Urban Milwaukee. April 1, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  48. ^ Hellmann, Jessie (December 7, 2017). "Bipartisan group of senators seek to block Trump cuts to drug discount program". The Hill. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  49. ^ Stein, Jeff (January 28, 2019). "Top GOP senators propose repealing estate tax, which is expected to be paid by fewer than 2,000 Americans a year". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  50. ^ Varnier, Julia (February 13, 2019). "Warner, Thune introduce legislation to address student debt crisis". WKTR. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  51. ^ "House Passes Energy Bill with Important Increase in Renewable Fuels Standard". thune.senate.gov. Office of Senator John Thune. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  52. ^ Cox, Ramsey (May 21, 2014). "Senate passes aiding transport of home heating fuels". The Hill. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  53. ^ Jump up to: a b "S. 2086 - CBO". Congressional Budget Office. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  54. ^ Brown, Mark (March 7, 2014). "Thune to Address Propane and Heating Fuel Shortages". KELO. Archived from the original on May 23, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  55. ^ Carney, Jordain; Green, Miranda (March 26, 2019). "Senate blocks Green New Deal". The Hill. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  56. ^ Tillett, Emily; Segers, Grace (March 26, 2019). "Senate fails to pass vote on "Green New Deal" resolution". CBS News. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  57. ^ "Letter from US Senate to Mark Zuckerberg" (PDF). Commerce.senate.gov. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  58. ^ Nunez, Michael (August 21, 2015). "Former Facebook Workers: We Routinely Suppressed Conservative News". Gizmodo. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  59. ^ Tsitrian, John (May 18, 2016). "Thune goes too far with Facebook demands | Local Columnists". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  60. ^ Harsanyi, David (May 10, 2016). "The Senate Has No Business Investigating Facebook". The Federalist. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  61. ^ "Worst part about Facebook news? Government meddling | Editorial". NJ.com. May 21, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  62. ^ Isaac, Mike (May 24, 2016). "Facebook Says an Investigation Found No Evidence of Bias in a News App". The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  63. ^ "Thune Statement on Facebook Response to Questions About "Trending Topics" Bias Allegations - Press Releases - U.S. Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, & Transportation". Commerce.senate.gov. May 23, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  64. ^ "Thune: Victory still possible in Iraq". UPI. November 14, 2006.
  65. ^ "Thune: Obama won't acknowledge Iraq wins". UPI. July 27, 2008.
  66. ^ Memmott, Mark (December 22, 2010). "Senate Ratifies START". NPR. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  67. ^ Baker, Peter (December 22, 2010). "Senate Passes Arms Control Treaty With Russia, 71-26". New York Times. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  68. ^ "US senators seek thorough review of Chinese bid for A123". Chicago Sun-Times. Reuters. November 1, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  69. ^ "U.S. Republican senator seeks briefings on reported China hacking attack". Reuters. October 9, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  70. ^ Kheel, Rebecca (September 19, 2016). "GOP pressures Kerry on Russia's use of Iranian airbase". The Hill. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  71. ^ Levitz, Eric (July 19, 2017). "43 Senators Want to Make It a Federal Crime to Boycott Israeli Settlements". Intelligencer. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  72. ^ "Cosponsors - S.720 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Israel Anti-Boycott Act". congress.gov. March 23, 2017.
  73. ^ Carney, Jordain (March 20, 2018). "Senate sides with Trump on providing Saudi military support". The Hill. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  74. ^ Lyons, Kim (May 1, 2020). "Senators' plan for reining in contact tracing apps doesn't make a lot of sense". The Verge. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  75. ^ Bash, Dana; Fox, Lauren; Barrett, Ted (May 9, 2017). "GOP defends having no women in health care group". CNN. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  76. ^ Bryan, Bob (June 9, 2017). "'We have no idea what's being proposed': Democratic senator gives impassioned speech on GOP healthcare bill secrecy". Business Insider. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
  77. ^ Litvan, Laura (June 13, 2017). "Senate Republicans Are Writing Obamacare Repeal Behind Closed Doors". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
  78. ^ Scott, Dylan (June 9, 2017). "Senate Republicans are closer to repealing Obamacare than you think". Vox. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
  79. ^ Ehley, Brianne (July 23, 2017). "Thune: Senate won't give up on Obamacare repeal if bill fails this week". Politico. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  80. ^ Desjardins, Lisa (September 22, 2020). "What every Republican senator has said about filling a Supreme Court vacancy in an election year". PBS NewsHour. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  81. ^ McCabe, Mark W. (July 19, 2011). "Thune: I Will Bring Back A National Concealed Carry Bill". Human Events. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  82. ^ "John Thune on Gun Control". On the Issues. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  83. ^ Jump up to: a b May, Charlie (October 3, 2017). "GOP Senator John Thune to shooting victims: To survive, "get small"". Salon. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  84. ^ Hart, Benjamin (October 3, 2017). "Senator's Strategy to Combat Gun Violence: 'Get Small'". New York. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  85. ^ Needham, Vicki (January 30, 2018). "Senate Republicans call on Trump to preserve NAFTA". The Hill. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  86. ^ "Sen. John Thune: Farm tariff relief plan 'merely a Band-Aid'". AP News. July 24, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  87. ^ "Which senators supported a Jan. 6 Capitol riot commission". Washington Post. May 28, 2021.
  88. ^ Ververs, Vaughn (August 25, 2008). "Thune Says He's Out Of The GOP VP Sweepstakes". CBS News. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  89. ^ Linkins, Jason (October 4, 2010). "John Thune Begins Potential 2012 Bid By Skirting TARP Vote". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  90. ^ O'Brien, Michael (October 23, 2010). "Thune mocks Obama rhetoric, campaign push instead of focus on job creation". The Hill. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  91. ^ Martin, Jonathan (January 13, 2010). "Daschle-dashing Thune in 2012 mix". Politico. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
  92. ^ McKinnon, Mark (May 13, 2010). "The GOP's Fresh 2012 Faces". The Daily Beast. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  93. ^ Jump up to: a b Allen, Mike (September 25, 2010). "John Thune plans to run in 2012". Politico. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  94. ^ Beutler, Brian (January 26, 2011). "Thune Rejects Obama's Call For Infrastructure Investment". Talking Points Memo. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  95. ^ Costa, Robert (January 28, 2011). "Graham 'Real High' on Thune, Says '12 Contender Has 'Unlimited Potential'". National Review. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  96. ^ Fund, John (July 30, 2010). "A Presidential Dark Horse With Bright Ideas". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  97. ^ Stein, Sam (July 23, 2010). "John Thune Worries DNC Executive The Most Among 2012 Prospects". HuffPost. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  98. ^ Hunt, Kasie (November 30, 2011). "Political markets betting on John Thune in 2012". Politico. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  99. ^ Hendin, Robert; Montopoli, Brian; Jackson, Jill (February 9, 2011). "Sizing up the 2012 GOP presidential contenders". CBS News. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  100. ^ "The presidential prospects of Senator Thune". Who Gets What. September 30, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  101. ^ Benen, Steve (July 28, 2010). "Someone buy Thune a calculator". Washington Monthly. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  102. ^ Merchant, Nomaan (February 22, 2011). "Thune declines to run for president for 2012". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  103. ^ "Most Popular E-mail Newsletter". USA Today. June 10, 2012. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  104. ^ Hagen, Lisa; Railey, Kimberly (January 18, 2015). "The Congressional Tease Caucus: 9 Members Who Think (but Never Act) on Running for Higher Office". National Journal. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  105. ^ Jump up to: a b "Election Statistics". clerk.house.gov. Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Archived from the original on July 25, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
  106. ^ O'Donnell, Kelly (June 28, 2016). "Thune on VP Chatter: 'I Know Nothing'". NBC News. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  107. ^ Laviola, Erin. "Kimberley Thune, John Thune's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  108. ^ McCue, Matt (October 15, 2012). "2012 Election Year Special". Runner's World . Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  109. ^ Milbank, Dana (February 20, 2005). "George Wins Time-Travel Race in a Blur". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 30, 2020.

Further reading[]

External links[]

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Tim Johnson 		Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Dakota's at-large congressional district
1997–2003 		Succeeded by
Bill Janklow
Party political offices
Preceded by
Larry Pressler 		Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from South Dakota
(Class 2)
2002 		Succeeded by
Joel Dykstra
Preceded by
Ron Schmidt 		Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from South Dakota
(Class 3)
2004, 2010, 2016 		Most recent
Preceded by
Bob Bennett 		Senate Republican Chief Deputy Whip
2007–2009 		Succeeded by
Richard Burr
Preceded by
John Cornyn 		Vice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference
2009 		Succeeded by
Lisa Murkowski
Preceded by
John Ensign 		Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee
2009–2012 		Succeeded by
John Barrasso
Preceded by
Lamar Alexander 		Chair of the Senate Republican Conference
2012–2019
Preceded by
John Cornyn 		Senate Republican Whip
2019–present 		Incumbent
U.S. Senate
Preceded by
Tom Daschle 		U.S. Senator (Class 3) from South Dakota
2005–present
Served alongside: Tim Johnson, Mike Rounds 		Incumbent
Preceded by
Kay Bailey Hutchison 		Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee
2013–2015 		Succeeded by
Bill Nelson
Preceded by
Jay Rockefeller 		Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee
2015–2019 		Succeeded by
Roger Wicker
Preceded by
John Cornyn 		Senate Majority Whip
2019–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Richard Burr 		United States senators by seniority
21st 		Succeeded by
Bob Menendez
  • v
  • t
South Dakota's delegation(s) to the 105th–107th, 109th–present United States Congresses (ordered by seniority)
105th
Senate:
House:   J. Thune (R)
106th
Senate:
House:   J. Thune (R)
107th
Senate:
House:   J. Thune (R)
109th
Senate:
House:   S. Herseth (D)
110th
Senate:
House:   S. Herseth Sandlin (D)
111th
Senate:
House:   S. Herseth Sandlin (D)
112th
Senate:
House:   K. Noem (R)
113th
Senate:
House:   K. Noem (R)
114th
Senate:
House:   K. Noem (R)
115th
Senate:
House:   K. Noem (R)
116th
Senate:
House:   D. Johnson (R)
117th
Senate:
House:   D. Johnson (R)
Retrieved from ""