Thune pushes long-term economic pitch to save GOP Senate majority

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is betting that voters will prioritize long-term economic growth over immediate pain at the pump as the midterms approach in one week. The strategy comes as a map that once favored Republicans has turned difficult due to an unpopular war with Iran and persistently high fuel costs.

In Sioux City, Iowa, Thune held a roundtable meeting with six local business owners and Rep. Ashley Hinson last Friday. The event took place in a strip-mall bar and grill, offering a quieter setting than a nearby rally held by President Donald Trump in an airplane hangar. Hinson addressed the challenge of balancing loyalty to the president with his less popular policies. She said she would support the president when she agreed and act as a thorn in his side when she did not.

Thune has led the Republican conference for nearly two years, guiding the party through opposition and White House directives. He told CBS News in his office that there are no easy wins in the current political climate. He argued that while gas prices are a short-term issue, the tax, border security, and defense agenda has set the stage for job creation and economic success.

Colleagues describe Thune as a steady and kind leader who prefers working behind the scenes. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota called him a team player who rarely loses his temper. Even Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has praised him as a decent American. The Senate under his leadership passed the president's major legislative agenda, including measures for housing, stablecoins, and fentanyl control, often through marathon overnight sessions.

However, the party faces scrutiny over its handling of the war. Since the conflict began in February, few Republicans have broken ranks with the president. The majority voted against more than a dozen Democratic efforts to rein in war powers. Thune acknowledged that this record is now part of the campaign conversation. He said Republicans have a good chance of keeping the majority if they can sell the long-term benefits of their agenda.

Thune framed the final week as a test of endurance. He cited his Scandinavian heritage and willingness to do things the hard way. He noted that his grandfather laid railroads in South Dakota and that his father, a teacher and coach, instilled in him a dislike for self-centeredness. Thune won his first Senate seat in 2004 by defeating party leader Tom Daschle by 4,000 votes. He has served in Congress for more than two decades, including three terms in the House.

The leader plans to focus on ground game and messaging in the days before the election. He said the outcome depends on blocking and tackling at the local level. The Republican conference remains united behind his approach despite internal disagreements over policy details. Voters in key states will decide whether the party retains control of the chamber.