Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell has been out of the public eye for weeks following a serious fall that hospitalized him. Multiple sources confirmed that Sens. John Barrasso of Wyoming, John Cornyn of Texas, and John Thune of South Dakota reached out to fellow Republican senators to prepare for an anticipated leadership vote. This potential vote would occur if McConnell announced he would be retiring from his leadership duties in the Senate.
One source said that Cornyn has been particularly active in his preparations, courting fellow senators with whom he has little in common.
Requests are targeted at many conservative senators, including the 16 who voted to delay the leadership election earlier this year, a proxy for opposition to McConnell’s leadership. Rick Scott, the Florida senator, and former NRSC head who challenged McConnell, ultimately received 10 protest votes. These members could prove key to determining the next Republican Senate leader.
Queries are also being made internally about the rules regarding replacement and how the contest would be structured given the lack of an obvious heir apparent.
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