GOP Whip John Thune of South Dakota was elected by the Senate Republican Conference to succeed Mitch McConnell as leader in a secret election.

In the first seriously contested Senate Republican leadership election in decades, three senators are vying to replace longtime GOP leader Mitch McConnell when he steps down from the post at the beginning of next year.

Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell announced earlier in the year he would step down from his leadership post, and Sen. John Thune will be the next leader.