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===Elections===
===Elections===
In 1994, Thune decided to make his first foray into elective politics. That year, Thune entered the race for South Dakota's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representative. The Almanac of American Politics explained that Thune "entered the 1996 race as very much an underdog."<ref name="www3.nationaljournal.com">{{cite web|url=http://www3.nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/1998/sd01.htm |title=1998 Almanac - South Dakota - Rep. John Thune (R) |publisher=.nationaljournal.com |date= |accessdate=May 2, 2013}}</ref> Thune's primary opponent was sitting Lt. Governor Carole Hillard of Rapid City, who benefited from the support of the long-term South Dakota governor Bill Janklow. A poll released in May 1996 showed Hillard ahead of Thune 69%-15%.<ref name="www3.nationaljournal.com"/> By relying on strong personal skills and the help of the old network of Abdnor friends, Thune won the primary, defeating Hillard 59%-41%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=442232 |title=SD At-Large - R Primary Race - Jun 04, 1996 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=May 2, 2013}}</ref> In the general election, Thune defeated Democrat [[Rick Weiland]], a long-serving aide to U.S. Senator Tom Daschle, 58%-37%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29771 |title=SD At-Large Race - Nov 05, 1996 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=May 2, 2013}}</ref> Weiland carried only six counties (his home, a university county, and four Indian counties), according to the Almanac of American Politics.<ref name="www3.nationaljournal.com"/> Thune won his subsequent races for U.S. House by wide margins. He won re-election in 1998 with 75% of the vote<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30891 |title=SD At-Large Race - Nov 03, 1998 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=May 2, 2013}}</ref> and in 2000 with 73% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=705 |title=SD At-Large Race - Nov 07, 2000 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=May 2, 2013}}</ref> In 2002, after briefly considering a run for governor of South Dakota, Thune set his sights on a run for the U.S. Senate.
In 1996, Thune decided to make his first foray into elective politics. That year, Thune entered the race for South Dakota's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representative. The Almanac of American Politics explained that Thune "entered the 1996 race as very much an underdog."<ref name="www3.nationaljournal.com">{{cite web|url=http://www3.nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/1998/sd01.htm |title=1998 Almanac - South Dakota - Rep. John Thune (R) |publisher=.nationaljournal.com |date= |accessdate=May 2, 2013}}</ref> Thune's primary opponent was sitting Lt. Governor Carole Hillard of Rapid City, who benefited from the support of the long-term South Dakota governor Bill Janklow. A poll released in May 1996 showed Hillard ahead of Thune 69%-15%.<ref name="www3.nationaljournal.com"/> By relying on strong personal skills and the help of the old network of Abdnor friends, Thune won the primary, defeating Hillard 59%-41%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=442232 |title=SD At-Large - R Primary Race - Jun 04, 1996 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=May 2, 2013}}</ref> In the general election, Thune defeated Democrat [[Rick Weiland]], a long-serving aide to U.S. Senator Tom Daschle, 58%-37%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29771 |title=SD At-Large Race - Nov 05, 1996 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=May 2, 2013}}</ref> Weiland carried only six counties (his home, a university county, and four Indian counties), according to the Almanac of American Politics.<ref name="www3.nationaljournal.com"/> Thune won his subsequent races for U.S. House by wide margins. He won re-election in 1998 with 75% of the vote<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30891 |title=SD At-Large Race - Nov 03, 1998 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=May 2, 2013}}</ref> and in 2000 with 73% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=705 |title=SD At-Large Race - Nov 07, 2000 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=May 2, 2013}}</ref> In 2002, after briefly considering a run for governor of South Dakota, Thune set his sights on a run for the U.S. Senate.


==U.S. Senate (2005-Present)==
==U.S. Senate (2005-Present)==

Revision as of 14:44, 16 June 2013

John Thune
United States Senator
from South Dakota
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2005
Serving with Tim Johnson
Preceded byTom Daschle
28th Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 26, 2012
LeaderMitch McConnell
Preceded byLamar Alexander
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Dakota's At-Large district
In office
January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2003
Preceded byTim Johnson
Succeeded byBill Janklow
Personal details
Born
John Randolph Thune

(1961-01-07) January 7, 1961 (age 63)
Murdo, South Dakota
Political partyRepublican
SpouseKimberley Thune (née Weems)
ChildrenBrittany and Larissa
ResidenceSioux Falls, South Dakota
Alma materBiola University
University of South Dakota
OccupationPolitical Assistant
Association Executive
Politician
Websitewww.thune.senate.gov

John Randolph Thune (born January 7, 1961) is the junior United States Senator from South Dakota and a member of the Republican Party. He previously served as a United States Representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district.

Early life, education, and early political career

Thune was born in the small town of Murdo, South Dakota, the son of Yvonne Patricia (maiden name Bodine), and Harold Richard Thune.[1][2] Thune's paternal grandfather, Nick Thune, was an immigrant from Norway who partnered with his brother Matt to start Thune Hardware stores in Mitchell and Murdo, South Dakota. His maternal grandfather was from Ontario in Canada, and Thune's mother had been born in Saskatchewan.[3] Thune was a star athlete in high school,[4] and was active in basketball, track, and football and also played college basketball at Biola University.[5] Thune remains athletically active and frequently competes in running events. A 2012 feature by "Runner's World Magazine" noted that Thune has "been the fastest man in Congress since 2009."[6]

After graduating from Biola University in California in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business,[7] Thune received the degree of Master of Business Administration from the University of South Dakota in 1984.[8]

Thune worked as a legislative aide for U.S. Senator James Abdnor from 1985 to 1987. In 1980, Abdnor had made political history by defeating U.S. Senator George McGovern, perhaps the most iconic figure in American liberalism. Abdnor was the son of a Lebanese immigrant peddler who settled in Lyman County, South Dakota and ran a main street general store which was similar to the hardware store run by the Thune family on the main street of Murdo in neighboring Jones County.[9]

In 1989, Thune move to Pierre, South Dakota, where he served as executive director of the Republican Party for two years.[10] Thune was appointed Railroad Director of South Dakota by Governor George S. Mickelson, serving from 1991 to 1993. From 1993 to 1996, he was executive director of the South Dakota Municipal League.[10]

U.S. House of Representatives (1997-2003)

Elections

In 1996, Thune decided to make his first foray into elective politics. That year, Thune entered the race for South Dakota's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representative. The Almanac of American Politics explained that Thune "entered the 1996 race as very much an underdog."[11] Thune's primary opponent was sitting Lt. Governor Carole Hillard of Rapid City, who benefited from the support of the long-term South Dakota governor Bill Janklow. A poll released in May 1996 showed Hillard ahead of Thune 69%-15%.[11] By relying on strong personal skills and the help of the old network of Abdnor friends, Thune won the primary, defeating Hillard 59%-41%.[12] In the general election, Thune defeated Democrat Rick Weiland, a long-serving aide to U.S. Senator Tom Daschle, 58%-37%.[13] Weiland carried only six counties (his home, a university county, and four Indian counties), according to the Almanac of American Politics.[11] Thune won his subsequent races for U.S. House by wide margins. He won re-election in 1998 with 75% of the vote[14] and in 2000 with 73% of the vote.[15] In 2002, after briefly considering a run for governor of South Dakota, Thune set his sights on a run for the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Senate (2005-Present)

Elections

2002

Main article: United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2002

Instead of running for governor after the end of Governor Bill Janklow's fourth term, Thune challenged incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Tim Johnson in 2002. Thune lost his bid by only 524 votes (0.15%).[16] One study concluded: “While the margin of victory [for Johnson] was a mere 524 votes, getting into that winning position required a number of important factors, including Native American turnout, the ability of Johnson and his allies to more effectively use the ground war to get their message out, Thune’s ineffectiveness on the air and lack of experience in winning competitive elections, low voter turnout in key Republican counties, the drought, and finally the presence of Kurt Evans. Evans, a Libertarian candidate who withdrew from the race, endorsed Thune, but remained on the ballot and ciphered away more votes from Thune than Johnson. Evans received only 3,070 votes, but that ended up being six times greater than the margin of victory.”[17] Despite the contested nature of the race, Thune did not challenge the results.[18]

2004

Main article: United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2004

Following his 2002 loss to Tim Johnson, Thune challenged Tom Daschle, the United States Senate Minority Leader and leader of the Senate Democrats, in the 2004 elections. In early 2003, Daschle unexpectedly decided not to run for President. CNN reported that the "announcement surprised even some of his closest aides, one of whom told CNN plans were being made for Daschle to announce his candidacy Saturday in his hometown of Aberdeen, South Dakota."[19]

The race was the most expensive Senate race in 2004, with $30 million spent,[20] and the most expensive in South Dakota history. It was widely followed in the national media. Thune – along with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, President of the United States George W. Bush, and Vice President Dick Cheney – painted Daschle as the "chief obstructionist" of Bush's agenda: "Thune was able to criticize 'Daschle for serving incompatible masters' and portray him, as Frist did when he came to South Dakota to campaign for Thune, as a partisan obstructionist and political heir to liberal icon and former Senator George McGovern of South Dakota."[21]

Daschle's critics charged the Democrat with using filibusters to block confirmation of several of Bush's nominees to the federal judiciary, and being out of step with the views of South Dakota voters on other political and social issues: "The GOP had targeted Daschle, the Senate minority leader, claiming he had been the chief obstruction to President Bush on such issues as tax cuts, judicial nominees and the war in Iraq."[22]

When the race began in early 2004, Daschle led by 7% in January and February. By May, his lead fell to just 2% and into the summer polls showed an effective tie. Throughout September, Daschle led Thune by margins of 2–5%; from October until the November 2 election, most polls showed Thune and Daschle tied 49% to 49% among likely voters.

On November 2, 2004, Thune defeated Daschle by 4,508 votes, winning 51% of the vote. Daschle's loss was the first ousting of an incumbent Floor Leader since 1952, when Arizona Senator Ernest McFarland lost his seat to Barry Goldwater. The New York Times reported that the loss made “Mr. Daschle the first Senate party leader in more than five decades to be voted out of office. The race had been closely watched by both parties, with White House officials calling the senator an obstructionist for opposing the president on the war in Iraq, tax cuts and judicial nominees. Senator Daschle had fought hard, raising $16 million during the campaign as of mid-October, which he spent largely on television advertisements. Mr. Thune had raised $10 million by the same time.”[23] South Dakota native Tom Brokaw commented that Thune "ran a very strong campaign" to win the 2004 race.[24] University of South Dakota political scientist Bill Richardson said "motivated John Thune supporters went to the polls in large numbers, part of a massive South Dakota turnout. Unofficial results show nearly 80 percent of registered voters cast ballots."[25]

2010

Main article: United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2010

Thune faced no Democratic or other opposition for his Senate seat in 2010[26] and thus won re-election with 100% of the vote.[27] Scott Heidepriem, the South Dakota Senate Minority Leader and a Democratic candidate for Governor of South Dakota, said, "We just concluded that John Thune is an extremely popular senator who is going to win another term in the Senate."[28] One political observer of South Dakota politics noted in 2010 that it was "the first time in the state’s modern history in which a major party has failed to field a Senate candidate."[29]

Tenure

As a U.S. Senator, Thune also took a leading role in formulating energy policy. He pushed for the final passage of a comprehensive energy bill, which finally overcame a series of Democratic filibusters and passed the Senate in 2005. Thune helped pass another energy bill in late 2007. Thune is a particular advocate developing alternative sources of energy such as ethanol and wind energy, which are linked to South Dakota's high levels of corn production and its windy prairies. Thune's hometown of Murdo is considered one of the windiest towns in the nation.[citation needed]

Thune also became a strong advocate of conservative causes such as gun rights.[30] Thune's emergence as a conservative voice in the US Senate led to a lengthy profile in conservative magazine The Weekly Standard.[31] The American Conservative Union gave Senator Thune a rating of 100 in 2006,[32] and again in 2010; as of 2010, Thune's lifetime ACU rating was 88.97.[33]

On December 6, 2006, Thune was chosen by Senate Republican Whip Trent Lott to be the GOP's Chief Deputy Whip.[34] After briefly serving as Republican Conference Vice-Chairman, Thune became chairman of the Republican Policy Committee in June 2009, which is the fourth-ranking position in the Senate. He was then elected Republican Conference Chairman in 2011, taking office in January 2012.[35] The Conference Chairman is the third-ranking position in the US Senate. In late 2011, the Mitchell Daily Republic reported that "Thune’s elevation to the No. 3 spot makes him the highest-ranking Republican senator in South Dakota history. Thune has served as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee from 2009 until the present time and was vice chairman of the Republican Conference from 2008 to 2009 and the Republican chief deputy whip from 2006 to 2008."[36]

Committee assignments

Source: John Thune

Speculation for higher office

Prior to the selection of Sarah Palin, Thune was mentioned as a possible vice presidential pick for Republican Presumptive Nominee John McCain in the 2008 presidential election. Thune publicly played down the speculation.[37] According to one source, McCain was looking for a "game changer" and did not believe that Thune would have a "game-changing" effect on the campaign.[38]

Significant speculation arose regarding a potential 2012 presidential bid by Thune.[39][40][41][42][43] Thune was encouraged to run by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell,[44] and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who called him "a consensus builder."[45] One Wall Street Journal article stated that Thune possesses "name ID in the parts of the first caucus state of Iowa that get neighboring South Dakota media, a $6.9 million bank account he could use for a presidential run, and a national fundraising list of 100,000 names from his race against [former Senator Tom] Daschle."[46] DNC Executive Director Jennifer O'Malley Dillon publicly stated that "among a field of generally flawed (in one way or another) Republican presidential candidates, there is one who genuinely scares her. 'This is personal[,] but John Thune is somebody that I have nightmares about,' she said. 'I've worked for Tim Johnson and Tom Daschle and he is just a guy you can't ever count out.'"[47] According to multiple commentators, a Thune candidacy could be helped by his personal appearance (he "looks like a president").[48][49][50][51] On February 22, 2011, however, Thune announced he would not run in the presidential election in 2012.[52]

During the summer of 2012, the USA Today reported that "South Dakota's Thune is on short list for vice president," but Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan was instead selected.[53]

Electoral history

See also: United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2010
South Dakota's at-large congressional district: Results 1996–2000[54]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct
1996 Rick Weiland 119,547 37% John R. Thune 186,393 58% Stacey L. Nelson Independent 10,397 3% Kurt Evans Independent 6,866 2%
1998 Jeff Moser 64,433 25% John R. Thune 194,157 75%
2000 Curt Hohn 78,321 25% John R. Thune 231,083 73% Brian Lerohl Libertarian 5,357 2%
Senate elections in South Dakota: Results 2002–2004[54]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct
2002 Tim Johnson 167,481 50% John R. Thune 166,949 49% Kurt Evans Libertarian 3,071 1%
2004 Tom Daschle 193,340 49% John R. Thune 197,848 51%
2010 John R. Thune 227,947 100%

Personal life

Thune married the former Kimberley Weems of Doland, South Dakota in 1984. They have two daughters, Brittany and Larissa.[55]

Thune is a fan of the bands Styx, Journey, Boston, the Doobie Brothers, and Cows.[56]

Thune's father, Harold, was a fighter pilot during World War II who flew the F6F-5 Hellcat. KELO News reported that "Thune flew numerous missions for the Navy from an aircraft carrier. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down four enemy planes in the Hellcat."[57] Harold Thune flew his missions off of the USS Intrepid.

References

  1. ^ "John Thune ancestry". Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  2. ^ "2012 Presidential Candidates Parents and Grandparents comparison". 2012.presidential-candidates.org. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  3. ^ "John Randolph Thune". rootsweb.com. Retrieved 2008-02-29. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ Brooks, David (2009-11-13). "Meet John Thune". The New York Times.
  5. ^ "Biola, Family Among Influences for Alumnus Senator « The Chimes | Biola University". Chimes.biola.edu. February 21, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  6. ^ McCue, Matt (October 15, 2012). "2012 Election Year Special | Runner's World". Runnersworld.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  7. ^ "After Biola". Biola University. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  8. ^ The Washington Post http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/T000250. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ^ "E. James "Jim" Abdnor Obituary: View E. Abdnor's Obituary by Rapid City Journal". Legacy.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  10. ^ a b Employment History, Center for Responsive Politics
  11. ^ a b c "1998 Almanac - South Dakota - Rep. John Thune (R)". .nationaljournal.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  12. ^ "SD At-Large - R Primary Race - Jun 04, 1996". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  13. ^ "SD At-Large Race - Nov 05, 1996". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  14. ^ "SD At-Large Race - Nov 03, 1998". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  15. ^ "SD At-Large Race - Nov 07, 2000". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  16. ^ Ambinder, Marc J. "Thune Concedes in South Dakota - ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  17. ^ http://www.apsanet.org/imgtest/PSJul03Meader.pdf
  18. ^ November 14, 2002 (november 14, 2002). "Thune Won't Contest Loss in Senate Race - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "From Times Wire Reports" ignored (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Jonathan Karl CNN Washington. "CNN.com - Daschle decides not to run for president - Jan. 7, 2003". Articles.cnn.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  20. ^ Madden, Mike (2004). "Daschle, Thune running close in costly race". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-04-07. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help) [dead link‍]
  21. ^ Eisele, Albert (November 16, 2007). "The South Dakota showdown". The Hill.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  22. ^ "Daschle Loses S.D. Seat to Thune". FoxNews.com. Associated Press. November 3, 2004. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  23. ^ [1]
  24. ^ "South Dakota Politics: Brokaw". Southdakotapolitics.blogs.com. November 24, 2004. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  25. ^ "MPR: Daschle goes down to defeat in South Dakota". News.minnesota.publicradio.org. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  26. ^ "Strolling back to the Senate? No opposition for Thune". Rapidcityjournal.com. April 2, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  27. ^ [2]
  28. ^ Brokaw, Chet (April 1, 2010). "S.D. Dems Skip Senate Race Against GOP's Thune". Yankton Press & Dakotan. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  29. ^ "2010 Race of the Day: Taking Back South Dakota - Brian Walsh - Page 1". Townhall.com. July 13, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  30. ^ "Thune: I Will Bring Back A National Concealed Carry Bill". Human Events. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  31. ^ [3]
  32. ^ 2006 U. S. Congress Ratings
  33. ^ [4]
  34. ^ Scheck, Tom (2006-12-06) Lott picks Coleman as Deputy Minority Whip, Minnesota Public Radio
  35. ^ http://thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=a6d2ec1b-d66c-4e5f-a3a5-39f57017095c
  36. ^ [5]
  37. ^ "– Thune says he won't be McCain's running mate – August 25, 2008". Chron.com. 2008-08-25. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  38. ^ Game Change book
  39. ^ Jason Linkins (October 4, 2010). "John Thune Begins Potential 2012 Bid By Skirting TARP Vote". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  40. ^ Michael O'Brien (October 23, 2010). "Thune mocks Obama rhetoric, campaign push instead of focus on job creation". The Hill. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  41. ^ "Daschle-dashing Thune in 2012 mix - Jonathan Martin". Politico.Com. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  42. ^ "The GOP's Fresh 2012 Faces". The Daily Beast. 2010-05-13. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  43. ^ Allen, Mike (September 25, 2010). "John Thune plans to run in 2012". Politico. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
  44. ^ Beutler, Brian (2011-01-26) Thune Rejects Obama's Call For Infrastructure Investment, Talking Points Memo
  45. ^ Costa, Robert (2011-01-28) Graham ‘Real High’ on Thune, Says ’12 Contender Has ‘Unlimited Potential’, National Review
  46. ^ Fund, John (2010-07-30). "A Presidential Dark Horse With Bright Ideas". The Wall Street Journal.
  47. ^ Stein, Sam (2010-07-23). "John Thune Worries DNC Executive The Most Among 2012 Prospects". Huffington Post.
  48. ^ [6]
  49. ^ [7]
  50. ^ [8]
  51. ^ [9]
  52. ^ Merchant, Nomaan (2011-02-22) Thune declines to run for president for 2012, Associated Press
  53. ^ [10]
  54. ^ a b "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  55. ^ [11]
  56. ^ Milbank, Dana (2005-02-20) George Wins Time-Travel Race in a Blur, Washington Post
  57. ^ [12]

Further reading

  • Lauck, Jon K. Daschle Vs. Thune: Anatomy of a High Plains Senate Race University of Oklahoma Press (September 30, 2007). ISBN 0-8061-3850-5. ISBN 978-0-8061-3850-3
U.S. House of Representatives

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U.S. Senate
Preceded by U.S. senator (Class 3) from South Dakota
2005–present
Served alongside: Tim Johnson 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican Conference Vice-Chair of the United States Senate
2009 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican Policy Committee Chairman of the United States Senate
2009–2012 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican Conference Chairman of the United States Senate
2012-present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States Senators by seniority
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