Thune elected Senate GOP leader after bruising showdown with critics

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Sen. John Thune was re-elected as Senate Republican leader by acclamation after facing criticism from some conservative senators. He will lead the party as Republicans prepare to enter the minority.

Sen. John Thune (S.D.) won re-election to serve another term as Senate Republican leader after a bruising showdown with conservative critics in the Senate Republican conference Tuesday. A Senate GOP aide announced at 3:40 pm Tuesday afternoon that Thune had been re-elected as leader “by acclamation,” despite objections raised by a handful of GOP senators…