John Thune facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Thune
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Official portrait, 2021
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| Senate Majority Leader | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 |
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| Whip | John Barrasso | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Chuck Schumer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leader of the Senate Republican Conference | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Mitch McConnell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| United States Senator from South Dakota |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2005 Serving with Mike Rounds
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| Preceded by | Tom Daschle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Dakota's at-large district |
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| In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Tim Johnson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Bill Janklow | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born |
John Randolph Thune
January 7, 1961 Pierre, South Dakota, U.S. |
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| Political party | Republican | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse |
Kimberley Weems
(m. 1984) |
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| Children | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | Biola University (BA) University of South Dakota (MBA) |
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| Signature |  |
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John Randolph Thune (born January 7, 1961) is an American politician. He is a United States senator for South Dakota. He has held this position since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Since January 2025, he has been the Senate majority leader. This means he is the main leader for the Republican Party in the Senate. Before this, he served as a whip, helping to organize votes. He was also the chairman of important Senate committees. From 1997 to 2003, he was a U.S. representative for South Dakota.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Thune was born in Pierre, South Dakota. His father, Harold Richard Thune, was a fighter pilot in World War II. He earned a special medal for shooting down four enemy planes. John's grandfather came from Norway. He started hardware stores in South Dakota.
Thune was a great athlete in high school. He played basketball, track, and football. He graduated in 1979. He then played college basketball at Biola University in California. He earned a degree in business in 1983. In 1984, he received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of South Dakota.
Early Political Career
After college, Thune started working in politics. From 1985 to 1987, he was an aide for U.S. Senator James Abdnor. In 1989, he became the executive director for the South Dakota Republican Party. He held this role for two years.
From 1991 to 1993, Thune was the Railroad Director for South Dakota. This was an appointment by Governor George S. Mickelson. Later, he led the South Dakota Municipal League from 1993 to 1996.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (1997–2003)
In 1996, John Thune decided to run for South Dakota's only seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Many people thought he would not win. He first had to win against Carole Hillard in the Republican primary election. He won this election 59% to 41%.
In the main election, Thune defeated Democrat Rick Weiland. He won with 58% of the votes. He was reelected two more times. In 1998, he won with 75% of the vote. In 2000, he won with 73% of the vote.
Serving in the U.S. Senate (2005–present)
John Thune became a U.S. Senator in 2005. He was chosen as the Republican chief deputy whip in 2006. This role helps manage votes in the Senate. From 2009 to 2012, he chaired the Senate Republican Policy Committee. This was the fourth-highest position in the Senate.
In 2011, he became the Republican Conference Chairman. This is the third-highest position for Republicans in the Senate. This made him the highest-ranking Republican senator from South Dakota in history.
Thune is known as a conservative voice in the Senate. He often supports traditional conservative ideas. He has received high ratings from groups like the American Conservative Union.
Senate Republican Leader
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On November 13, 2024, Thune was chosen as the next Senate majority leader. He replaced Mitch McConnell, who retired. Thune won the election among Republican senators. He is the first Senate party leader to have started as a senator in the 21st century.
In January 2025, Thune spoke at the funeral service for former President Jimmy Carter. He represented the Republican Party at the event.
Political Views
John Thune has shared his views on many important topics.
Agriculture
In 2019, Thune supported dairy farmers. He signed a letter asking the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to help them. Farmers were facing low prices for their products.
Economy
In 2019, Thune suggested a law to remove the estate tax. This tax applies to very large estates. He believes it would help families.
Education
In 2019, Thune supported a bill to help employees with student loans. This bill would allow employers to help pay off up to $5,250 of their employees' student debt.
Environment
In 2019, Thune voted against the Green New Deal. He said it would be very bad for the agriculture economy. This includes farms in South Dakota and across the U.S.
Foreign Policy
In 2006, Thune believed the U.S. could win the Iraq War. He wanted to make sure Iraq would not be a place for terrorist attacks. In 2008, he called the U.S. efforts in Iraq a "remarkable success."
In 2010, Thune voted against the New START treaty. This treaty aimed to reduce nuclear weapons between the U.S. and Russia.
In 2018, Thune asked for more information about a report. This report said the Chinese government might have put harmful parts into computer servers. He said these charges must be taken seriously.
Health Care
Thune was part of a group of senators working on a new health care law. This law aimed to replace the Affordable Care Act. He said Republicans would keep trying to change the health care system.
Gun Control
Thune supports gun rights. He has supported laws that would allow people with concealed carry permits to use them in other states.
Judiciary
In 2016, Thune opposed considering President Obama's choice for the Supreme Court. He believed the next president should make that decision. In 2020, he supported an immediate vote on President Trump's Supreme Court choice.
Trade
In 2018, Thune asked President Trump to keep the North American Free Trade Agreement. He wanted it updated for today's economy. He stressed that fair trade is important for South Dakota farmers.
Electoral History
John Thune has run in many elections. Here are some of his results:
- 1996 U.S. House Election:
* John Thune (Republican): 58% * Rick Weiland (Democrat): 37%
- 1998 U.S. House Election:
* John Thune (Republican): 75% * Jeff Moser (Democrat): 25%
- 2000 U.S. House Election:
* John Thune (Republican): 73% * Curt Hohn (Democrat): 25%
- 2002 U.S. Senate Election:
* Tim Johnson (Democrat): 50% * John Thune (Republican): 49%
- 2004 U.S. Senate Election:
* John Thune (Republican): 51% * Tom Daschle (Democrat): 49%
- 2010 U.S. Senate Election:
* John Thune (Republican): 100% (ran unopposed)
- 2016 U.S. Senate Election:
* John Thune (Republican): 72% * Jay Williams (Democrat): 28%
- 2022 U.S. Senate Election:
* John Thune (Republican): 69.63% * Brian Bengs (Democrat): 26.15%
Personal Life
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John Thune is an evangelical Christian. He married Kimberley Weems in 1984. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.
Thune is very active and enjoys running. A magazine called him "the fastest man in Congress" in 2012. He is also a fan of bands like Styx, Journey, Boston, and the Doobie Brothers.
See also
In Spanish: John Thune para niños
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2021
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John Thune's signature
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Thune in 2010
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Senator Thune with his family in 2025
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Kimberley and John Thune with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, 2025
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Thune and his wife Kimberley with Vice President Dick Cheney
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Thune with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 6, 2025
