Wyoming senior U.S. Sen. John Barrasso has cemented his role as one of the leading voices in the new Republican majority Senate.
Barrasso was elected Majority Whip on Wednesday, the No. 2 leadership role in the Senate as the assistant majority leader.
“I want to thank the people of Wyoming for their support and for allowing me to continue serving our state in the United States Senate,” Barrasso said in a press release. “I want to thank my Republican colleagues for their confidence and their vote today. It is my honor to serve them as assistant majority leader.”
Barrasso was reelected in Wyoming earlier this year by landslide margins in both the primary and general elections.
He ran unopposed for whip, a campaign he announced in March and received President-Elect Donald Trump’s endorsement for it shortly after. Barrasso’s fellow Wyoming delegation members Sen. Cynthia Lummis and Rep. Harriet Hageman also endorsed his campaign.
“Today is an exciting day for not only Wyoming, but the entire nation as Senator John Barrasso becomes our Senate whip,” Lummis told Cowboy State Daily.
What It Means
Barrasso had been the chair of the Senate Republican Conference, the No. 3 role, since 2018.
He will now take over as the No. 2 leader in the Republican conference at a time where his party is taking over not only a majority of seats in the Senate, but also the House and the presidency.
As a result, it’s likely fair to say that Barrasso is about to have the most impact on American policy that he’s ever experienced during his 17-year tenure in Congress.
Barrasso said Republicans’ agenda will be “bold” and a new direction, working to lower costs, protect the border, restore America’s strength in the world, and unleash American energy.
“We have an extraordinary opportunity in front of us,” Barrasso said. “Voters spoke loudly. It is our job to listen and to lead on their behalf.”
Barrasso can serve as whip for up to six years. He will start the role at the beginning of 2025.
Thune Election
U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, was elected Majority Floor Leader on Wednesday.
According to The New York Times, Thune won in a 29-24 closed-door vote over Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, who billed himself as the Trump candidate in the race, was eliminated in an earlier round of voting after drawing just 13 supporters, well behind Thune and Cornyn.
Neither Lummis or Barrasso would say how they voted in this election.
On Tuesday, the Wyoming Republican Party’s leadership endorsed Scott.
“As a state, we had the largest percentage of votes for Trump in the nation,” Wyoming GOP Chairman Frank Eathorne said in a press release. “We need to back and support President-elect Trump as he seeks leaders who are willing to put the needs of the American people above governmental gamesmanship.”
Lummis said she appreciated the input she received from Wyoming people on this vote.
“I look forward to working with our new Senate leadership team in making President Trump’s agenda a reality while also working to get our fiscal house in order,” she said.
Thune is largely seen as an establishment Republican and thus may get a short lease with MAGA loyalists. If Thune doesn’t please them or the president, Barrasso could be next up for the No. 1 spot.
Trump backer Charlie Kirk alluded to this dynamic on X, saying that Thune "has a short window to show us he will support President Trump, fill his cabinet, confirm his judges, and pass his agenda.
"If he does, we will support him," Kirk said. "If he doesn't, we will work to remove him."
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
