There's going to be a new No. 2 Republican in the Senate this fall, a move that will trigger a ripple effect down the leadership ranks, Politico reports.
North Dakota Sen. John Thune has all but locked up the whip post, replacing termed-out Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who won't seek waivers from GOP term limits on leadership, Politico reports.
"There's no certainties in this business," Thune told Politico. "In most people's minds, it's premature to get into that. I'm not going to rule anything out, and, obviously, I'm going to serve the conference if there's an opportunity there."
As for Cornyn, the man seen as the eventual successor to Mitch McConnell may have to bide his time outside of leadership until that time comes; McConnell is up for reelection in 2020.
Giving Cornyn a plush committee chairmanship - Finance, Judiciary, Intel - would skirt Senate rules and bump out more senior level Republican senators. Sen. Chuck Grassley is expected to get Finance, replacing the retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch. Sen. Lindsey Graham would then get Grassley's spot atop the Judiciary committee, Politico reports.
"That seems kind of wild. We've got other people whose careers are involved. I'm looking forward to serving out my time as whip," Cornyn told Politico. "And we'll see what the future brings."
Sen. John Barrasso is next in line to succeed Thune as Republican Conference chair but could face a contest from Sen. Roy Blunt, Politico reports.
Of course, all of this is predicated on Republicans keeping their majority after the midterms. Losing the majority would likely cause helter skelter among the party from lower level Republicans - elected in 2014 - who might revolt and demand seats in leadership, Politico reports.
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