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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 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 the senior United States senator for South Dakota, a role he has held since 2005. As a Republican, Thune became the Senate majority leader and Senate Republican leader in January 2025. He is currently in his fourth term as a senator.
Thune grew up in South Dakota. He earned his bachelor's degree from Biola University and his master's degree from the University of South Dakota. Before becoming a senator, he served three terms as a U.S. representative for South Dakota from 1997 to 2003. In 2004, Thune won a Senate election against Tom Daschle, who was the Senate Democratic leader at the time. This was a big win, as Daschle was the first sitting Senate leader to lose an election since 1952.
During his time in the Senate, Thune has held several important leadership positions. These include being the Republican chief deputy whip, chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, and chair of the Senate Republican Conference. He also served as majority whip and minority whip. In 2024, Thune was chosen to be the Senate Republican leader, taking over from Mitch McConnell.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Thune was born in Pierre, South Dakota, on January 7, 1961. His father, Harold Richard Thune, was a fighter pilot in World War II. He was honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross. John's paternal grandfather came from Norway and started hardware stores. His maternal grandfather was from Canada.
Thune was a talented athlete in high school, playing basketball, track, and football. He graduated from Jones County High School in 1979. He played college basketball at Biola University in California, earning a degree in business in 1983. He then received a master's degree in business from the University of South Dakota in 1984.
Start in Politics
After finishing his education, Thune began his career in politics. He worked as an assistant for U.S. senator James Abdnor from 1985 to 1987. In 1989, he became the executive director for the South Dakota Republican Party. He also served as the Railroad Director for South Dakota from 1991 to 1993. From 1993 to 1996, he was the executive director of the South Dakota Municipal League.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (1997–2003)
Thune started his journey to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996. He ran for South Dakota's only seat in the House. Even though he was seen as an underdog, he won the Republican primary. He then defeated his Democratic opponent, Rick Weiland, in the general election.
Thune was reelected to the U.S. House by large margins in 1998 and 2000.
Serving in the U.S. Senate (2005–Present)
Senate Elections
In 2002, Thune decided to run for the U.S. Senate. He ran against the sitting Democratic senator, Tim Johnson. Thune lost by a very small number of votes, only 524.
Two years later, in 2004, Thune ran for Senate again. This time, he challenged Tom Daschle, who was the leader of the Democrats in the Senate. This election was very important and expensive, costing about $30 million. Thune and other Republicans criticized Daschle for blocking President George W. Bush's plans.
On November 2, 2004, Thune defeated Daschle by 4,508 votes. This made Daschle the first Senate party leader in over 50 years to lose an election. Many Republicans saw Thune as a rising star after this victory.
Thune was reelected without any opposition in 2010. In 2016, he won against Democratic candidate Jay Williams with 71.8% of the vote. In 2022, Thune was reelected for his fourth term, winning with 69.6% of the vote.
Key Roles in the Senate
In 2006, Thune was chosen to be the Republican chief deputy whip. This is an important role in helping to manage party votes. He later became chairman of the Republican Policy Committee in 2009, which is the fourth-highest position in the Senate.
In 2011, Thune was elected Republican Conference chairman. He took office in January 2012. This position is the third-highest in the Senate. This made him the highest-ranking Republican senator from South Dakota in history.
In June 2018, Thune suggested that Special Counsel Robert Mueller should start finishing his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Thune became the majority whip for the 116th Congress and later served as minority whip for the 117th and 118th Congresses.
Current Committee Assignments
- Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
- Committee on Finance
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
- Select Committee on Intelligence
Caucus Membership
- Afterschool Caucuses
Senate Republican Leader
On November 13, 2024, Thune won the election to become the next Senate majority leader. He was chosen to replace Mitch McConnell, who retired. Thune won this position after Republicans gained control of the Senate in the November 2024 elections. He is the first Senate party leader to have started his Senate career in the 21st century.
Political Views
Politico magazine has described Thune as a "conservative" who is also "moderate" in his approach. He is seen as someone who likes to work with others rather than argue.
Agriculture
In March 2019, Thune and 37 other senators wrote a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. They asked for help for dairy farmers who were struggling with low prices. They encouraged farmers to consider the Dairy Margin Coverage program.
COVID-19
In May 2020, Thune and other Republican senators planned to introduce a bill about privacy. This bill would control how data from COVID-19 contact-tracing apps is used. Thune said the law would help create tools to track the virus while protecting people's privacy.
Economy
In January 2019, Thune proposed a law to get rid of the estate tax. This tax applies to very large estates, usually over $22.4 million for couples.
Education
In February 2019, Thune supported a bill that would allow employers to help pay off their employees' student loans. Employers could contribute up to $5,250 for this purpose.
Energy
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In March 2014, Thune introduced a bill called the Reliable Home Heating Act. This bill would help make sure homes have enough heating oil during emergencies. It would allow transport companies to be exempt from some federal rules if a state declares an emergency due to a heating fuel shortage.
Environment
In March 2019, Thune voted against the Green New Deal resolution. He argued that this plan would be "devastating and disastrous" for the agriculture economy in South Dakota and across the U.S.
Foreign Policy
In November 2006, Thune stated his belief that the U.S. could win the Iraq War by bringing stability to the region. He wanted to make sure Iraq could not be used by terrorists. In July 2008, Thune called the Bush administration's actions in Iraq a "remarkable success."
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In December 2010, Thune voted against a treaty with Russia called New START. This treaty aimed to reduce the number of nuclear weapons both countries had. In 2025, Thune supported new taxes on countries that buy Russian oil, natural gas, and other exports.
Gun Control
Thune supports gun rights. He has sponsored laws that would allow people with concealed carry permits to use them in other states. He also voted against banning certain types of high-capacity magazines. After a mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017, Thune said people might need to take steps to protect themselves in such situations.
Health Care
Thune was part of a group of senators who wrote the Senate's version of the American Health Care Act of 2017. This bill aimed to replace the Affordable Care Act. In July 2017, Thune said Republicans would keep trying to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
Judiciary
In March 2016, Thune opposed considering President Obama's choice for the Supreme Court. He believed the next president should make that decision. In September 2020, Thune supported an immediate vote on President Trump's choice for the Supreme Court.
2020 Presidential Election Results
In December 2020, Thune said he was against any more efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results. He believed such efforts would not succeed in the Senate. Then-President Donald Trump disagreed and publicly asked South Dakota governor Kristi Noem to challenge Thune in a 2022 Senate primary. Thune voted to confirm the 2020 presidential election results.
Possible Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidacy
Before Sarah Palin was chosen, Thune was mentioned as a possible vice-presidential candidate for John McCain in the 2008 presidential election. Thune publicly downplayed these rumors.
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There was also a lot of talk about Thune possibly running for president in 2012. Some people, including Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, encouraged him to run. However, on February 22, 2011, Thune announced he would not run for president in 2012.
In the summer of 2012, USA Today reported that Thune was on Mitt Romney's short list for a running mate. However, Paul Ryan was chosen instead. Thune also decided not to seek the presidency in 2016.
Personal Life
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Thune is an evangelical Christian. He married Kimberley Weems in 1984. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.
Thune is very active and often competes in running events. A 2012 Runner's World Magazine article called him "the fastest man in Congress since 2009."
Thune enjoys music from bands like Styx, Journey, Boston, and the Doobie Brothers.
See also
In Spanish: John Thune para niños
