Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is among the Republican Party’s most notable national leaders not delivering a speech at the first-ever midterm convention in Texas later this week.
The Republican National Committee has released the full list of keynote speakers for the party’s convention. Unlike his House counterpart, Thune was noticeably absent from the lineup. He is still expected to attend the convention in Dallas, though.
The convention is arriving less than 60 days before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, when the nation will decide the fate of the Republican Party’s control over Congress.
Thune opted out of making a speech because “he wanted to ensure candidates and other members who aren’t often afforded a national platform had the opportunity to address the convention,” NewsNation White House correspondent Kellie Meyer reported, based on a source.
Instead of appearing on stage, Thune will be attending a fundraiser for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for the Senate against Democratic nominee James Talarico. The Senate majority leader’s expected appearance at the fundraiser is notable, considering he initially supported incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in his primary bid against Paxton. Thune later endorsed the state attorney general.
Paxton is among the speakers chosen to headline the two-day midterm convention, scheduled to run from Wednesday to Thursday.
Other speakers include House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY), and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC).
President Donald Trump is also set to speak, delivering the keynote address on the first night and the closing speech on the second. Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to open the second night with his keynote address.
Though there have been some disagreements between Thune and the White House, Vance maintains the president’s relationship with the Senate Republican leader is “very good.”
Trump declined to endorse Thune for a future term as leader amid disputes over passing the SAVE America Act and eliminating the filibuster. Separately, Vance said it wasn’t his “business” to lend an endorsement either.
VANCE: ‘IT’S NOT MY BUSINESS’ TO ENDORSE THUNE FOR ANOTHER TERM AS SENATE LEADER
Apart from the reported intraparty tensions, Thune is more concerned about the party’s loss of control over the Senate if Democrats win enough seats this year. This fear would explain why he is publicly backing Paxton at this week’s fundraiser.
“I worry about that, for sure,” Thune told South Dakota outlet Keloland News last week. “I’m a realist, and I just think you — I don’t ever try and sugarcoat things. I think it’s a competitive environment right now. I think we got the highest-quality candidates.”