John Thune

John Thune (Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. Senate from South Dakota. He assumed office on January 3, 2005. His current term ends on January 3, 2029.

Republicans elected Thune as Senate majority leader in November 2024, succeeding Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as leader of the Republican caucus.

Thune was born in Pierre, South Dakota, in 1961.1 Thune earned his bachelor's degree from Biola University in La Mirada, California, and his master's degree in business administration from the University of South Dakota at Vermillion in 1984. Thune worked as a legislative aide for U.S. Sen. Jim Abdnor (R-S.D.), and President Ronald Reagan (R) appointed Thune to the Small Business Administration. He returned to South Dakota in 1989 and served as executive director of the Republican Party of South Dakota for two years, state railroad director for two years, and executive director of the South Dakota Municipal League for three years.2