John Thune Works Sidelines at GOP Midterm Convention as Mike Johnson Takes Spotlight
Senate Majority Leader John Thune will be working behind the scenes when Republicans gather in Dallas for their midterm convention this week, while House Speaker Mike Johnson and other top GOP figures take prominent speaking roles.
Thune is expected to be in Dallas during the two-day Republican National Committee gathering Wednesday and Thursday, but he is notably absent from the convention’s announced speaker lineup.
Instead, the South Dakota Republican plans to focus on fundraising and helping GOP Senate candidates as the party fights to protect its majority in November.
One of Thune’s stops will be a fundraiser for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican Senate nominee locked in a competitive race against Democrat James Talarico.
Thune’s support for Paxton marks a significant shift following the bitter Texas Republican primary.
The Senate leader initially supported incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, a longtime ally, while Paxton challenged him for the nomination. Republican groups aligned with Senate leadership also spent heavily during the primary battle.
After Paxton emerged as the GOP nominee, however, Thune endorsed him and has now turned his attention toward keeping the Texas seat in Republican hands.
His lower-profile convention role stands in contrast to Johnson, who is scheduled to address the gathering as Republicans attempt to energize voters ahead of Election Day.
President Donald Trump will headline the convention, speaking both nights, while Vice President JD Vance is also scheduled for a major address.
Other speakers include Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson.
Several administration officials and prominent Trump allies are also expected to take the stage, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Donald Trump Jr.
Thune’s absence from the speaking schedule comes after several disagreements with Trump over the Senate’s legislative strategy.
Trump has repeatedly pushed Thune to eliminate the legislative filibuster and advance election legislation backed by the president.
Thune has resisted abolishing the filibuster, arguing that Republicans do not have sufficient support within the Senate conference to make such a change.
Trump has publicly criticized the Senate’s handling of the issue and recently declined to explicitly endorse Thune for another term as Republican leader, although he said the two men get along.
Thune has sought to minimize speculation about a serious rift with the president and has continued working with the White House on Republican priorities.
His decision to campaign and raise money for Paxton also demonstrates his focus on the broader Senate map despite their opposing sides during the Texas primary.
Republicans currently hold the Senate majority but are defending several competitive seats around the country, making fundraising and party unity major priorities during the campaign’s final stretch.
The Dallas convention is designed in large part to motivate Trump supporters who turned out during the 2024 presidential election but may be less inclined to participate in a midterm contest.
While Johnson and other Republicans will make that case from the convention stage, Thune will be taking a different approach — working the sidelines, raising money and concentrating on the Senate races that will determine whether he remains majority leader next year.