Axios reported on November 9, 2026, that seven Republican senators are calling to postpone the upcoming Senate GOP leadership elections scheduled for Tuesday morning, November 10, 2026.
Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), and John Kennedy (R-La.) signed a joint letter demanding a delay in the leadership vote. They argued that the conference needs additional time to discuss the party's performance in the previous week's elections. Sens. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) publicly supported the push in statements shared on X. Senator Johnson also stated he would walk out of the meeting rather than participate if the vote is not postponed.
Despite the growing opposition to an immediate vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is still expected to secure reelection as leader of the Senate Republican conference. No rival candidate has officially announced a challenge against Thune.
The decision to delay the election technically rests with Senate Republican Conference Chair Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), though such decisions typically involve wider leadership consensus. A delay would require a formal motion and a majority vote from the conference, which a source familiar with planning discussions described as unlikely given the current public count of supporters for the motion.
None of the major Senate GOP leadership contests are currently competitive. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Policy Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Conference Vice Chair James Lankford (R-Okla.) are anticipated to retain their positions alongside Cotton. Sen. Bernie Moreno is running unopposed for chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
