Republican senators are to meet on Tuesday to consider delaying their leadership elections, after Wisconsin senator Ron Johnson said the party could not continue with “business as usual” following a “stunning defeat” in the midterm elections.
A small group of Senate Republicans, led by Mr Johnson, has signed a letter calling for a conference meeting and a vote on postponing the elections. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the party would first hold a “fulsome, robust conversation” before deciding how to proceed.
The meeting is scheduled for 9am. Mr Johnson said Republican leaders had agreed to allow those seeking a delay to make their case, adding: “We’ll see how convincing those of us are who believe we should delay leadership elections.”
Mr Thune is expected to be re-elected as leader and no Republican senator has launched a challenge against him. The South Dakota senator said he was willing to hear the arguments for postponement, but added: “I don’t know if that solves anything.”
Mr Johnson said the election result demanded a period of reflection and a discussion about the party’s future strategy. “I mean, that kind of defeat demands change,” he said.
He acknowledged there was no obvious alternative candidate to replace Mr Thune, saying: “That’s part of our problem. Who’d want the job?” But he argued senators needed time to consider whether they wanted to seek leadership positions and build support among colleagues.
“You need to have some real soul searching, some robust discussion,” Mr Johnson said. “You can’t do that, you know, a week out of Washington, come back the next day. I mean, it’s obnoxious.”
The dispute comes as House Republicans prepare to choose their own leadership team. Speaker Mike Johnson said the House could not delay its elections because new members were in Washington for orientation and changing the schedule would create logistical problems.
Mr Johnson, who has not explicitly committed to serving the full two-year term for which he was re-elected, is stepping aside from leading House Republicans in the minority. Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan are competing for minority leader, while Tom Emmer faces a challenge from August Pfluger for minority whip.
