Thune, 63, is considered a level-headed lawmaker and is generally respected by many of his Republican peers. He currently serves as the Senate's Republican second-in-command and will succeed 82-year-old Mitch McConnell,

Sen. John Thune has won an internal election among Republican senators to become the chamber’s next majority leader

Wednesday, South Dakota Senator John Thune was elected by Senate Republicans as the GOP Majority Leader. According to CNN, Thune beat out Texas Senator John Cornyn in the second round of voting 29 to 24. His election comes after longtime leader Mitch McConnell stepped down as GOP leader back in February.