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{{Short description|American politician (born 1961)}}
{{about|the American politician|the Norwegian politician|John Thune (Norwegian politician)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = John Thune
| image               = John Thune 117th Congress portrait.jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2021
| office              = [[Party leaders of the United States Senate|Senate Majority Leader]]
| 1blankname          = Whip
| 1namedata           = [[John Barrasso]]
| term_start          = January 3, 2025
| term_end            = 
| predecessor         = [[Chuck Schumer]]
| successor           = 
| jr/sr7              = United States Senator
| state7              = [[South Dakota]]
| alongside7          = [[Mike Rounds]]
| term_start7         = January 3, 2005
| term_end7           = 
| predecessor7        = [[Tom Daschle]]<!--
| successor7          =  -->
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|Senate positions|titlestyle=border: 1px dashed lightgrey;}}
{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
| office1             = Leader of the [[Senate Republican Conference]]
| term_start1         = January 3, 2025
| term_end1           = 
| predecessor1        = [[Mitch McConnell]]
| successor1          = 
| office2             = [[Party leaders of the United States Senate|Senate Minority Whip]]
| leader2             = Mitch McConnell
| term_start2         = January 20, 2021
| term_end2           = January 3, 2025
| predecessor2        = [[Dick Durbin]]
| successor2          = Dick Durbin
| office3             = [[Party leaders of the United States Senate|Senate Majority Whip]]
| leader3             = Mitch McConnell
| term_start3         = January 3, 2019
| term_end3           = January 20, 2021
| predecessor3        = [[John Cornyn]]
| successor3          = Dick Durbin
| office4             = Chair of the [[United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation|Senate Commerce Committee]]
| term_start4         = January 3, 2015
| term_end4           = January 3, 2019
| predecessor4        = [[Jay Rockefeller]]
| successor4          = [[Roger Wicker]]
| office5             = Chair of the [[Senate Republican Conference]]
| leader5             = Mitch McConnell
| 1blankname5         = Vice Chair
| 1namedata5          = [[Roy Blunt]]
| term_start5         = January 26, 2012
| term_end5           = January 3, 2019
| predecessor5        = [[Lamar Alexander]]
| successor5          = John Barrasso
| office6             = Chair of the [[Senate Republican Policy Committee]]
| leader6             = Mitch McConnell
| term_start6         = June 17, 2009
| term_end6           = January 26, 2012
| predecessor6        = [[John Ensign]]
| successor6          = John Barrasso
}}
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
| state8              = [[South Dakota]]
| district8           = {{ushr|SD|AL|at-large}}
| term_start8         = January 3, 1997
| term_end8           = January 3, 2003
| predecessor8        = [[Tim Johnson (South Dakota politician)|Tim Johnson]]
| successor8          = [[Bill Janklow]]
| birth_name          = John Randolph Thune
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1961|1|7}}
| birth_place         = [[Pierre, South Dakota]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse              = {{marriage|Kimberley Weems|1984}}
| children            = 2
| education           = [[Biola University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[University of South Dakota]] ([[Master of Business Administration|MBA]])
| signature           = JohnThuneSignature-01.svg
| website             = {{url|thune.senate.gov|Senate website}}<br>{{url|johnthune.com|Campaign website}}
|module      = {{Listen
|pos         = center
|embed       = yes
|filename    = Senate Majority Leader John Thune Delivers Remarks on the Assassination of Charlie Kirk.wav
|title       = Thune's voice
|type        = speech
|description = Thune on the [[Assassination of Charlie Kirk|assassination]] of conservative activist [[Charlie Kirk]].<br>Recorded September 10, 2025}}
}}{{Conservatism US}}
'''John Randolph Thune''' ({{IPAc-en|θ|uː|n}} {{Respell|THOON}}; born January 7, 1961) is an American politician serving as the [[Seniority in the United States Senate|senior]] [[United States senator]] from [[South Dakota]], a seat he has held since 2005. A [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], Thune has been the [[Senate majority leader]] and [[Senate Republican Conference|Senate Republican]] leader since January 2025. He is in his fourth Senate term.

A South Dakota native, Thune is a graduate of [[Biola University]] (BA) and the [[University of South Dakota]] (MBA). From 1997 to 2003, he served three terms as the [[U.S. representative]] for {{ushr|SD|AL}}. He first ran for the [[U.S. Senate]] in [[2002 United States Senate election in South Dakota|2002]], narrowly losing to incumbent senator [[Tim Johnson (South Dakota politician)|Tim Johnson]]. In [[2004 United States Senate election in South Dakota|2004]], Thune ran for Senate again and defeated Senate Democratic leader [[Tom Daschle]], making Daschle the first incumbent Senate leader to lose an election since 1952. During his Senate tenure, Thune has served as the Republican chief deputy [[Whip (politics)|whip]] (2007-2009); chair of the [[Senate Republican Policy Committee]] (2009–2012); Senate Republican Conference chair, the third-ranking position in the Senate (2012–2019); majority whip (2019–2021); and minority whip (2021–2025).

In 2024, Thune was elected Senate Republican leader, succeeding [[Mitch McConnell]].

==Early life and education==
Thune was born in [[Pierre, South Dakota]], on January 7, 1961.<ref name="bioguide">{{Cite web|url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/t000250|title=THUNE, John 1961 – |website=bioguide.congress.gov|access-date=May 8, 2025}}</ref> He is the son of Yvonne Patricia (née Bodine) and Harold Richard Thune.<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Thune ancestry |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/senators/thune.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518075802/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/senators/thune.htm |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |access-date=May 2, 2013 |publisher=Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 Presidential Candidates Parents and Grandparents comparison |url=http://2012.presidential-candidates.org/Parents-Grandparents.php |access-date=May 2, 2013 |publisher=2012.presidential-candidates.org |archive-date=March 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301235101/http://2012.presidential-candidates.org/Parents-Grandparents.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> Harold Thune was a [[fighter pilot]] in the [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|Pacific theater]] during World War II who flew the [[Grumman F6F Hellcat]]; he was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] after shooting down four enemy planes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KELOLAND.com – Harold Thune: Fighter Pilot Signs Artwork |url=http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/harold-thune-fighter-pilot-signs-artwork/?id=114121 |access-date=January 28, 2015 |website=keloland.com |archive-date=January 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128112721/http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/harold-thune-fighter-pilot-signs-artwork/?id=114121 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Harold Thune flew his missions off the [[USS Intrepid (CV-11)|USS ''Intrepid'']].<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2020/08/15/harold-thune-fighter-pilot-father-u-s-senator-dies-at-100/5593376002/|title=Harold Thune, fighter pilot, father of U.S. senator, dies at 100|last=Ellis|first=Jonathan|website=Argus Leader|date=August 15, 2020}}</ref> Thune's paternal grandfather, Nicholas Thune, emigrated to the United States from [[Norway]] in 1906;<ref name="auto2"/> he partnered with his brother to run a chain of hardware stores in South Dakota.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2024/11/13/5-things-to-know-about-john-thune-the-new-senate-majority-leader/|title=5 Things to Know About John Thune, the New Senate Majority Leader|website=washingtonian.com|last=Corliss|first=Kate|date=November 13, 2024}}</ref> Nicholas Thune changed his last name to Thune from Gjelsvik because he was told by immigration officers that the name Gjelsvik was too hard to pronounce.<ref name="auto2"/> Thune's maternal grandfather was from [[Ontario]], Canada, and his mother was born in [[Saskatchewan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Randolph Thune |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~battle/senators/thune.htm |access-date=February 29, 2008 |publisher=rootsweb.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630165925/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/senators/thune.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-06-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=US Sen. John Thune's mother died Wednesday|url=https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/obituaries/us-sen-john-thunes-mother-died-wednesday |date=March 7, 2012|publisher=Mitchell Republic|access-date=October 9, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20251009215632/https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/obituaries/us-sen-john-thunes-mother-died-wednesday|archive-date=2025-10-09}}</ref>

Thune was a star athlete in high school,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=David|author-link=David Brooks (commentator) |date=November 13, 2009 |title=Meet John Thune |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/opinion/13brooks.html|access-date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> active in [[basketball]], [[track and field|track]], and [[American football|football]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yankton.net/archives/article_433c928c-aeca-509c-97ac-2bef303b1820.html|title=Thune Seemed Destined For Success Early On|last=Brokaw|first=Chet|date=October 31, 2002|website=Yankton Press & Dakotan}}</ref><ref name="dreaming">{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/magazine/2003200/dakota-dreaming/|title=Dakota Dreaming |website=Washington Examiner|first=Stephen |last=Hayes|date=October 4, 2010}}</ref> He graduated from Jones County High School in 1979.<ref name="bioguide" /> Thune played college basketball at [[Biola University]] in California; he graduated from Biola in 1983 with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in business.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 21, 2008 |title=Biola, Family Among Influences for Alumnus Senator |url=https://chimesnewspaper.com/1711/archives/features/biola-family-among-influences-for-alumnus-senator/ |access-date=May 2, 2013 |website=The Chimes |publisher=Biola University}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=After Biola |url=http://www.biola.edu/undergrad/after/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402065913/http://www.biola.edu/undergrad/after/ |archive-date=April 2, 2008 |access-date=April 7, 2008 |publisher=Biola University}}</ref> He received a [[Master of Business Administration]] degree from the [[University of South Dakota]] in 1984.<ref name="bioguide" />

== Early political career ==
After completing his MBA, Thune became involved in politics. He worked as a legislative aide for U.S. senator [[James Abdnor]] from 1985 to 1987.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=McCutcheon |first1=Michael |title=2014 Almanac of American Politics |last2=Barone |first2=Chuck |publisher=The University of Chicago Press |year=2013}}</ref> In 1989, Thune moved to Pierre, where he served as executive director of the [[South Dakota Republican Party|state Republican Party]] for two years.<ref name="CRP">{{Cite web |title=Revolving Door: John Thune Employment Summary – OpenSecrets |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/revolving/rev_summary.php?id=70171 |access-date=January 28, 2015 |website=opensecrets.org}}</ref> Thune was appointed Railroad Director of South Dakota by [[Governor of South Dakota|Governor]] [[George S. Mickelson]] and served from 1991 to 1993. From 1993 to 1996, he was executive director of the South Dakota Municipal League.<ref name="CRP" />

==U.S. House of Representatives (1997–2003)==

[[File:FEMA - 891 - Photograph by Andrea Booher taken on 06-05-1998 in South Dakota.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Thune surveys tornado damage in [[Spencer, South Dakota]] in 1998, alongside [[Bill Janklow]], [[Tom Daschle]], [[Al Gore]], [[Tim Johnson (South Dakota politician)|Tim Johnson]], [[James Lee Witt]], and  [[Rick Weiland]]]]

===Elections===
Thune began his political career in 1996 by entering the race for South Dakota's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. ''[[The Almanac of American Politics]]'' said 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=South Dakota – Rep. John Thune (R) |work=1998 Almanac |publisher=nationaljournal.com |access-date=May 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024001258/http://www.nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/1998/sd01.htm |archive-date=October 24, 2012 }}</ref> His opponent in the Republican primary was sitting [[Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota|Lieutenant Governor]] [[Carole Hillard]] of [[Rapid City]], who benefited from the support of the longtime [[South Dakota Governor]] [[Bill Janklow]]. A May 1996 poll showed Hillard leading Thune by a margin of 69%–15%.<ref name="www3.nationaljournal.com" /> By relying on strong personal skills and the help of his 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 |access-date=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 |access-date=May 2, 2013}}</ref>

Thune won his subsequent [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]] races by wide margins. He was reelected 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 |access-date=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 |access-date=May 2, 2013}}</ref>

==U.S. Senate (2005–present)==
===Elections===
====2002====
{{Main|2002 United States Senate election in South Dakota}}

In 2002, after briefly considering a run for governor, Thune set his sights on the U.S. Senate. He ran against incumbent Democratic U.S. senator [[Tim Johnson (South Dakota politician)|Tim Johnson]] and lost by only 524 votes (0.15%).<ref>{{cite web|last=Ambinder |first=Marc J. |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=121079&page=1 |title=Thune Concedes in South Dakota  |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=November 13, 2002 |access-date=May 2, 2013}}</ref> 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 siphoned 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."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Meader |first1=James |last2=Bart |first2=John |title=South Dakota At-Large and Senate Race 2002 |url=http://www.apsanet.org/imgtest/PSJul03Meader.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713234848/https://apsanet.org/imgtest/PSJul03Meader.pdf |archive-date=2007-07-13 |access-date=January 28, 2015 |website=American Political Science Association}}</ref> Despite the close results, Thune did not contest the election.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-nov-14-na-briefs14.3-story.html |title=Thune Won't Contest Loss in Senate Race |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=November 14, 2002 |access-date=May 2, 2013}}</ref>

====2004====
{{Main|2004 United States Senate election in South Dakota}}
In 2004, Thune challenged [[Tom Daschle]], the [[United States Senate Minority Leader|United States Senate minority leader]] and leader of the Senate [[United States Democratic Party|Democrats]]. In early 2003, Daschle had 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]]."<ref>{{cite news|first=Jonathan |last=Karl |url=http://articles.cnn.com/2003-01-07/politics/Daschle.out_1_daschle-economic-plan-democratic-leader?_s=PM:ALLPOLITICS |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119143257/http://articles.cnn.com/2003-01-07/politics/Daschle.out_1_daschle-economic-plan-democratic-leader?_s=PM:ALLPOLITICS |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 19, 2013 |title=Daschle decides not to run for president |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=January 7, 2003 |access-date=May 2, 2013 }}</ref>

The 2004 U.S. Senate race in South Dakota was the most expensive Senate race that year, with a total of $30 million spent,<ref>{{cite news|title=Daschle, Thune running close in costly race. |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmusa/is_200411/ai_n8609995 |date=November 2004 |access-date=April 7, 2008 |last=Madden|first=Mike |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220201525/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmusa/is_200411/ai_n8609995 |archive-date=February 20, 2009 }}</ref> and the most expensive race in South Dakota history. It was widely followed in the national media. Thune, along with Senate majority leader [[Bill Frist]], President [[George W. Bush]], and Vice President [[Dick Cheney]], described 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thehill.com/bookshelf/the-south-dakota-showdown-of-2004--from-the-inside-2007-11-16.html|title=The South Dakota showdown.|author=Eisele, Albert|access-date=April 7, 2008|date=November 16, 2007|work=The Hill |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071209033818/http://thehill.com/bookshelf/the-south-dakota-showdown-of-2004--from-the-inside-2007-11-16.html |archive-date = December 9, 2007}}</ref>

Daschle's critics charged the Democrat with using [[filibuster]]s to block confirmation of several of Bush's nominees to the federal judiciary and of being out of step with 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."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,137397,00.html|title=Daschle Loses S.D. Seat to Thune.|access-date=April 7, 2008|date=November 3, 2004|agency=Associated Press|publisher=[[Fox News]]|archive-date=May 23, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523071147/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,137397,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On November 2, 2004, Thune defeated Daschle by 4,508 votes,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/election-resources/election-history/2004/2004_general_election_official_returns_us_senate.aspx|title=2004 General Election Official Returns for U.S. Senate |website=SDSOS.gov|access-date=January 10, 2022}}</ref> winning 51% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB109952677114864300|title=South Dakotans Decide Daschle Lost Touch With State's Values|first=Amy |last=Schatz |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=November 4, 2004|via=www.wsj.com}}</ref> Daschle's loss was the first ousting of an incumbent floor leader since 1952, when Arizona Senator [[Ernest McFarland]] lost to [[Barry Goldwater]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/03/politics/campaign/daschle-democratic-senate-leader-is-beaten.html|title=Daschle, Democratic Senate Leader, Is Beaten|first=Sheryl Gay|last=Stolberg|newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 3, 2004}}</ref> The loss made Daschle "the first Senate party leader in more than five decades to be voted out of office".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/04/politics/campaign/04sbsouthdakota.html |work=The New York Times |title=South Dakota |date=November 4, 2004}}</ref>

South Dakota native [[Tom Brokaw]] commented that Thune "ran a very strong campaign" to win the 2004 race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://southdakotapolitics.blogs.com/south_dakota_politics/2004/11/brokaw.html |title=South Dakota Politics: Brokaw |publisher=Southdakotapolitics.blogs.com |date=November 24, 2004 |access-date=May 2, 2013}}</ref> [[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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/11/03_hetlandc_sdsenate/ |title=MPR: Daschle goes down to defeat in South Dakota |publisher=[[Minnesota Public Radio]] |access-date=May 2, 2013 |archive-date=January 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108233929/http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/11/03_hetlandc_sdsenate/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> After Thune defeated Daschle, many Republicans regarded him as a "rising star with unlimited political potential".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bolton|first1=Alexander|title=John Thune rising: GOP senator on Romney's veepstakes and his future|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/119669-john-thune-rising-gop-senator-on-romneys-veepstakes-and-his-future/|access-date=November 7, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=July 16, 2012}}</ref>

====2010====
{{Main|2010 United States Senate election in South Dakota}}
Thune was reelected without any opposition in either the primary or general election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_c03b9dc4-3e0a-11df-bb50-001cc4c002e0.html |title=Strolling back to the Senate? No opposition for Thune |work=[[Rapid City Journal]]|first=Kevin|last=Woster|date=April 2, 2010 |access-date=May 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keloland.com/news/NewsDetail6375.cfm?Id=106845 |title=Thune Weighs In On Election Impact In D.C. |work=[[KELO-TV]]|first=Kelly|last=Bartnick|date=November 7, 2020 |access-date=January 28, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307232428/http://www.keloland.com/news/NewsDetail6375.cfm?Id=106845 |archive-date=March 7, 2012 }}</ref> [[Scott Heidepriem]], the [[South Dakota Senate]] minority leader and a Democratic [[South Dakota gubernatorial election, 2010|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."<ref name=yankton>{{cite web|url=http://www.yankton.net/articles/2010/04/02/news/doc4bb576acd9bc3030872173.txt|title=S.D. Dems Skip Senate Race Against GOP's Thune|date=April 1, 2010|access-date=April 7, 2010|work=Yankton Press & Dakotan|first=Chet|last=Brokaw}}</ref> The conservative publication ''[[Townhall]]'' commented that the absence of a Democratic candidate in the election marked "the first time in the state's modern history in which a major party has failed to field a Senate candidate".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://townhall.com/columnists/brianwalsh/2010/07/13/2010_race_of_the_day_taking_back_south_dakota |title=2010 Race of the Day: Taking Back South Dakota|first=Brian|last=Walsh|work=[[Townhall]] |date=July 13, 2010 |access-date=May 2, 2013}}</ref>

====2016====
{{Main|2016 United States Senate election in South Dakota}}
Thune faced Democratic nominee Jay Williams, chair of the [[Yankton County, South Dakota|Yankton County]] Democratic Party.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2016/02/18/yankton-democrat-expected-challenge-thune/80566156 |title=Yankton Democrat expected to challenge Thune |work=[[Argus Leader]] |last=Sneve |first=Joe |date=February 19, 2016 |access-date=February 19, 2016}}</ref> On November 8, he defeated Williams with 71.8% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://electionresults.sd.gov/resultsSW.aspx?type=SWR&map=CTY |title=South Dakota State Unofficial Election Results|publisher=South Dakota Secretary of State | access-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref>

====2022====
{{Main|2022 United States Senate election in South Dakota}}
Thune "drew the wrath of [[Donald Trump]] for pushing back on the former president's false claims" that he won the 2020 presidential election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theweek.com/2022-elections/1008769/sen-john-thune-south-dakota-republican-who-drew-trumps-ire-will-seek-a-4th|title=Sen. John Thune, South Dakota Republican who drew Trump's ire, will seek a 4th term|website=The Week|date=January 8, 2022 }}</ref> Trump called upon South Dakota governor [[Kristi Noem]] to launch a primary challenge to Thune in the 2022 U.S. Senate election in South Dakota; Noem declined.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2021/01/01/trump-urges-sd-governor-to-primary-sen-thune---but-the-governor-doesnt-want-the-job/|title=Trump Urges S.D. Governor To Primary Sen. Thune — But The Governor Doesn't Want The Job|first=Joe|last=Walsh|website=Forbes|date=January 1, 2021}}</ref> Thune also received negative feedback from Trump supporters for his position on the 2020 election.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/gop-sen-john-thune-seriously-013729572.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222053830/https://www.yahoo.com/now/gop-sen-john-thune-seriously-013729572.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2021|title=GOP Sen. John Thune seriously considering retirement: report|website=www.yahoo.com}}</ref> While Thune seriously considered retiring from the Senate,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Jonathan |title=John Thune, a Likely Successor to Mitch McConnell, Weighs Retirement |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/21/us/politics/john-thune-senate-retirement.html |access-date=December 22, 2021 |agency=The New York Times |date=December 21, 2021}}</ref><ref name="auto1" /> he announced in January 2022 that he would seek reelection to a fourth term.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/01/08/senate-minority-whip-john-thune-to-run-for-reelection-526794|title=Senate Minority Whip John Thune to run for reelection|first=Marianne|last=Levine|website=POLITICO|date=January 8, 2022 }}</ref> He was reelected with 69.6% of the vote, defeating Democratic nominee Brian Bengs.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 8, 2022 |title=South Dakota U.S. Senate Election Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-south-dakota-us-senate.html |access-date=October 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

===Tenure===
[[File:Sen. Thune swearing in reenactment.jpg|thumb|Thune and his wife Kimberley with Vice President [[Dick Cheney]] in 2005]]
On December 6, 2006, Thune was chosen by Senate Republican [[Assistant Majority Leader|whip]] [[Trent Lott]] to be the GOP's [[Chief Deputy Whip|chief deputy whip]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Scheck|first=Tom|date=December 6, 2006|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2006/12/06/lott-picks-coleman-as-deputy-minority-whip|title=Lott picks Coleman as Deputy Minority Whip|work=[[Minnesota Public Radio]]|access-date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> After briefly serving as [[Republican Conference Vice-Chair of the United States Senate|Republican Conference vice-chairman]],<ref name="bioguide" /> Thune became chairman of the [[Republican Policy Committee Chairman of the United States Senate|Republican Policy Committee]] in June 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollcall.com/2009/06/25/thune-tapped-to-replace-ensign-at-policy-murkowski-takes-conference-vice-chairwoman-job/|title=Thune Tapped to Replace Ensign at Policy; Murkowski Takes Conference Vice Chairwoman Job|date=June 25, 2009|website=Roll Call}}</ref> The post was the fourth-ranking position in the Senate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/25/john-thune-reelection-mcconnell-trump-477886|title=McConnell's No. 2 weighs future as Trump reshapes Senate GOP|first=Burgess|last=Everett|website=POLITICO|date=March 25, 2021 }}</ref>
[[File:John Thune, official portrait, 111th Congress.jpg|thumb|left|Thune in 2010 ([[111th Congress]])]]
In March 2009, Thune was one of 14 senators to vote against a procedural move that essentially guaranteed a major expansion of a national service corps. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the bill would cost at least $418 million in the fiscal year 2010 and $5.7 billion from 2010 to 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/national-service-corps-bill-clears-senate-hurdle/|title=National Service Corps Bill Clears Senate Hurdle|first=Kate|last=Phillips|date=March 23, 2009|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> He was elected [[Republican Conference Chairman of the United States Senate|Republican Conference chairman]] in 2011, taking office in January 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=a6d2ec1b-d66c-4e5f-a3a5-39f57017095c|title=Thune Elected to Serve as Republican Conference Chairman|work=senate.gov|date=December 13, 2011|access-date=January 28, 2015}}</ref> The conference chairman is the third-ranking position in the Senate. In late 2011, the ''[[Mitchell Daily Republic]]'' wrote: "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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://election2010.illumen.org/latest-news/thune-claims-gop-no-3-spot-in-senate-lacks-challenger|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415023758/http://election2010.illumen.org/latest-news/thune-claims-gop-no-3-spot-in-senate-lacks-challenger|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 15, 2013|title=Roll Call – Congress, Capitol Hill, Political Campaigns, Elections & Washington, D.C.|work=illumen.org|access-date=January 28, 2015}}</ref>

Thune's emergence as a conservative voice in the Senate gained him a profile in the conservative magazine ''[[The Weekly Standard]]'' that called him an exceptional politician who, unlike many of his colleagues, could communicate traditional conservatism, making him a popular alternative to the [[Tea Party movement|Tea Party]].<ref name="dreaming" />
[[File:John Thune (53301829345).jpg|thumb|228x228px|Thune speaking at the Republican Jewish Coalition 2023 Annual Leadership Summit in Las Vegas, [[Nevada]]]]
In June 2018, Thune called on Special Counsel [[Robert Mueller]] to "start winding" down his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/13/mueller-trump-probe-republicans-642328|title=Mueller-friendly Republicans losing patience with probe|work=[[Politico]]|first1=Elana|last1=Schor|first2=Kyle|last2=Cheney|date=June 13, 2018|access-date=June 13, 2018|language=en}}</ref> Thune is South Dakota's senior U.S. senator.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newscenter1.tv/sen-john-thune-reelected-as-republican-whip-for-117th-congress/|title=Sen. John Thune reelected as Republican whip for 117th Congress|work=KNBN NewsCenter1|date=November 10, 2020|access-date=January 10, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110142955/https://www.newscenter1.tv/sen-john-thune-reelected-as-republican-whip-for-117th-congress/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Senate Republican Conference selected him as majority whip for the [[116th United States Congress|116th Congress]], succeeding [[John Cornyn]], who was term-limited in the position.<ref name="Brett">{{Cite web |last1=Wagner |first1=John |last2=DeBonis |first2=Mike |date=November 14, 2018 |title=Congressional leadership elections: McConnell and Schumer keep the top spots; Pelosi seeks to shore up votes for speaker |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/congressional-leadership-elections-pelosi-seeks-to-shore-up-votes-for-speaker/2018/11/14/e9443c14-e813-11e8-b8dc-66cca409c180_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> He served as minority whip in the [[117th United States Congress|117th Congress]]<ref name="auto" /> and continued to serve as minority whip in the [[118th United States Congress|118th Congress]].<ref name=thehill20241107>{{cite news |title=Thune elected Senate majority leader |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4987959-senator-john-thune-elected/ |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=November 13, 2024 |access-date=November 13, 2024}}</ref>

===[[119th United States Congress]] committee assignments<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Senate: Committee Assignments of the 119th Congress |url=https://www.senate.gov/general/committee_assignments/assignments.htm#ThuneSD |access-date=February 7, 2025 |website=www.senate.gov}}</ref>===
* [[United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry|Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry]]
* [[United States Senate Committee on Finance|Committee on Finance]]
* [[United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation|Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation]] 
* [[United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence|Select Committee on Intelligence]]

===Caucus membership===
* [[Afterschool Caucuses]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyCongressionalCaucuses.cfm|publisher=Afterschool Alliance|access-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Congressional Motorcycle Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://americanmotorcyclist.com/congressional-motorcycle-caucus-continues-to-take-shape/ |title=Congressional Motorcycle Caucus Continues to Take Shape|publisher=American Motorcyclist Association|access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref>

===Senate Republican Leader===
[[File:President Donald Trump and Melania Trump with Senator John Thune.jpg|thumb|left|Kimberley and John Thune with President [[Donald Trump]] and First Lady [[Melania Trump]], 2025]]
On November 13, 2024, Thune won the [[2024 Senate Republican Conference leadership election|Senate Republican Conference leadership election]] on the second ballot to become the next [[Party leaders of the United States Senate|Senate majority leader]]. Thune was chosen to replace the retiring [[Mitch McConnell]] following the [[2024 United States elections|November 2024 U.S. elections]], in which Republicans carried the Senate. The other candidates were [[Rick Scott]] and [[John Cornyn]].<ref name=nbc20241107>{{cite news |title=Trump's victory scrambles a three-way race for Senate Republican leader |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-republican-leader-election-trump-thune-cornyn-scott-rcna179180 |work=[[NBC News]] |date=November 7, 2024 |access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><ref name=nw20241109>{{cite news |title=Could Rick Scott Replace Mitch McConnell? Senate GOP Leader Race Heats Up |url=https://www.newsweek.com/rick-scott-replace-mitch-mcconnell-senate-gop-leader-race-1983273 |work=Newsweek |date=November 9, 2024 |access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref> The election occurred in a closed-door Republican caucus setting. Thune reportedly defeated Cornyn by a vote of 29-24.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/senate-leader-thune-cornyn-scott-mcconnell-trump-c3c1c451a420729136ae641a14d9d5d6|title=Republican John Thune of South Dakota is elected the next Senate majority leader|date=November 13, 2024|website=AP News}}</ref>

On January 7, 2025, Thune spoke at [[Death and state funeral of Jimmy Carter|Jimmy Carter's funeral service]] alongside Vice President [[Kamala Harris]] and House speaker [[Mike Johnson]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/jimmy-carter-eulogized-congressional-leaders-us-capitol/3807997/|title=Jimmy Carter eulogized by Kamala Harris, others in service at US Capitol|first1=Bill|last1=Barrow|first2=Jonathan J.|last2=Cooper|first3=Farnoush |last3=Amiri |website=nbcwashington.com|date=January 7, 2025}}</ref>

Thune is the first Senate party leader to have first taken office as a senator in the 21st century.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4987984-house-senate-republicans-leadership-election/|title=Live Updates: Johnson Nominated for Speaker, Thune Elected Senate GOP Leader|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date= November 13, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20241113184833/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4987984-house-senate-republicans-leadership-election/|archive-date=November 13, 2024|access-date=November 14, 2024}}</ref>

==Political positions==
''[[Politico]]'' has called Thune "unambiguously [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]] but temperamentally moderate", a "collaborator instead of a combatant", and an institutionalist.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2025 |title=Does John Thune Have a Red Line When It Comes to Trump? |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/03/14/john-thune-south-dakota-profile-00223248 |access-date=March 14, 2025 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref>

=== Agriculture ===
In March 2019, Thune was among 38 senators to sign a letter to [[United States Secretary of Agriculture|Agriculture Secretary]] [[Sonny Perdue]] warning that dairy farmers "have continued to face market instability and are struggling to survive the fourth year of sustained low prices" and urging his department to "strongly encourage these farmers to consider the Dairy Margin Coverage program."<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on Trump Adminstration to Implement Farm Bill Dairy Improvements for Wisconsin Dairy Farmers {{!}} U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin |url=https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/implement-improvements-for-wi-dairy-farmers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222054435/https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/implement-improvements-for-wi-dairy-farmers |archive-date=February 22, 2025 |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=www.baldwin.senate.gov |date=April 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Senators Collins, King Urge Implementation of Farm Bill Dairy Improvements {{!}} |url=https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-urge-implementation-of-farm-bill-dairy-improvements |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250402201449/https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-urge-implementation-of-farm-bill-dairy-improvements |archive-date=April 2, 2025 |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=www.king.senate.gov |language=en}}</ref>

=== COVID-19 ===
In May 2020, a group of Senate Republicans planned to introduce a privacy bill that would regulate the data [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] contact-tracing apps collect. Senator [[Roger Wicker]] said the legislation would "hold businesses accountable to consumers if they use personal data to fight the COVID-19 pandemic". Thune said the act would permit the creation of "platforms that could trace the virus and help flatten the curve and stop the spread—and maintaining privacy protections for U.S. citizens".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Senators' plan for reining in contact tracing apps doesn't make a lot of sense|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/1/21243977/gop-senators-contact-tracing-data-coronavirus-covid-19-privacy|last=Lyons|first=Kim|date=May 1, 2020|website=[[The Verge]]|language=en|access-date=May 24, 2020}}</ref>

=== Drug policy ===
In December 2017, Thune was among six senators to sign a letter to Senate Majority Leader [[Mitch McConnell]] and Minority Leader [[Chuck Schumer]] requesting their "help in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the [[340B Drug Pricing Program|340B program]]", a rule mandating that drug companies give discounts to health-care organizations presently serving large numbers of low-income patients.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/363772-gop-senators-move-to-block-trump-administrations-cuts-to-drug-discount/|title=Bipartisan group of senators seek to block Trump cuts to drug discount program|first=Jessie|last=Hellmann|date=December 7, 2017|newspaper=The Hill|access-date=September 29, 2020}}</ref>

===Economy===
In January 2019, Thune introduced legislation to repeal the [[Inheritance tax|estate tax]], which applies to couples with estates above $22.4 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/us-policy/2019/01/28/top-gop-senators-propose-repealing-estate-tax-which-is-expected-be-paid-by-fewer-than-americans-year/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129015620/https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/us-policy/2019/01/28/top-gop-senators-propose-repealing-estate-tax-which-is-expected-be-paid-by-fewer-than-americans-year/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2019|title=Top GOP senators propose repealing estate tax, which is expected to be paid by fewer than 2,000 Americans a year|last=Stein|first=Jeff|author-link=Jeff Stein (author)|date=January 28, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 29, 2020}}</ref>

=== Education ===
In February 2019, Thune was among 20 senators to sponsor the Employer Participation in Repayment Act, enabling employers to contribute up to $5,250 to their employees' student loans.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://wtkr.com/2019/02/13/warner-thune-introduce-legislation-to-address-student-debt-crisis/|title=Warner, Thune introduce legislation to address student debt crisis|first=Julia|last=Varnier|date=February 13, 2019|work=[[WKTR]]|access-date=September 29, 2020}}</ref>

===Energy===
On March 6, 2014, Thune introduced the [[Reliable Home Heating Act (S. 2086; 113th Congress)]].<ref name=SenatepassesCox>{{cite news|last=Cox|first=Ramsey|title=Senate passes aiding transport of home heating fuels|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/206862-senate-passes-aiding-transport-of-home-heating-fuels/|access-date=May 23, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=May 21, 2014}}</ref> The bill would require the [[Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration]] (FMCSA) to exempt motor carriers that transport home heating oil from numerous federal safety regulations if the governor of a state declares a [[state of emergency]] caused by a shortage of residential heating fuel.<ref name=cbo2086>{{cite web|title=S. 2086 – CBO|date=April 18, 2014|url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45294|publisher=Congressional Budget Office|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> The bill also would require the [[Energy Information Administration]] (EIA) to notify states if certain petroleum reserves fall below historical averages.<ref name="cbo2086"/><ref name=BrownThuneAddress>{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Mark|title=Thune to Address Propane and Heating Fuel Shortages|url=http://kelo.com/news/articles/2014/mar/07/thune-to-address-propane-and-heating-fuel-shortages/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523225620/http://kelo.com/news/articles/2014/mar/07/thune-to-address-propane-and-heating-fuel-shortages/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 23, 2014|access-date=May 23, 2014|newspaper=KELO|date=March 7, 2014}}</ref>

=== Environment ===
In March 2019, Thune joined all Senate Republicans, three Democrats, and [[Angus King]] in voting against the [[Green New Deal]] resolution.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/435899-senate-blocks-green-new-deal/|title=Senate blocks Green New Deal|date=March 26, 2019|newspaper=The Hill|first1=Jordain|last1=Carney|first2=Miranda|last2=Green|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref> Arguing against its implementation, Thune said the resolution would "absolutely be devastating and disastrous" for the agriculture economy both in South Dakota and across the US.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/green-new-deal-vote-senate-resolution-today-live-updates-2019-03-26/|title=Senate fails to pass vote on "Green New Deal" resolution|date=March 26, 2019|first1=Emily|last1=Tillett|first2=Grace|last2=Segers|publisher=CBS News|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref>

===Facebook===
In May 2016, Thune sent [[Facebook]] a letter requesting details on how it operates its Trending Topics feature,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/fe5b7b75-8d53-44c3-8a20-6b2c12b0970d/C5CF587E2778E073A80A79E2A6F73705.fb-letter.pdf|title=Letter from US Senate to Mark Zuckerberg|website=Commerce.senate.gov|access-date=June 11, 2016}}</ref> after a [[Gizmodo]] article cited anonymous sources (claiming to be former Facebook employees) who alleged systemic anti-conservative political bias in how material is selected for display in the list.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gizmodo.com/former-facebook-workers-we-routinely-suppressed-conser-1775461006 |title=Former Facebook Workers: We Routinely Suppressed Conservative News|first=Michael|last=Nunez |work=[[Gizmodo]] |date=August 21, 2015 |access-date=June 11, 2016}}</ref> Some commentators criticized Thune's letter as an example of government overreach against a private company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/opinion/columnists/local/tsitrian-thune-goes-too-far-with-facebook-demands/article_35f4bdff-a0de-5d84-af76-d1534e63e462.html |title=Thune goes too far with Facebook demands &#124; Local Columnists |work=Rapid City Journal|first=John|last=Tsitrian |date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=June 11, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/05/worst_part_about_facebook_news_government_meddling.html |title=Worst part about Facebook news? Government meddling &#124; Editorial |work=[[NJ.com]] |date=May 21, 2016 |access-date=June 11, 2016}}</ref> Facebook denied the bias allegations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/24/technology/facebook-says-an-investigation-found-no-evidence-of-bias-in-a-news-app.html|title=Facebook Says an Investigation Found No Evidence of Bias in a News App|date=May 24, 2016|work=The New York Times|first=Mike|last=Isaac|access-date=June 11, 2016}}</ref> Thune thanked Facebook in a public statement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=EDA7C7FA-CAED-4CD0-8BAB-FD7C4B3139A2 |title=Thune Statement on Facebook Response to Questions About "Trending Topics" Bias Allegations – Press Releases – U.S. Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, & Transportation |publisher=Commerce.senate.gov |date=May 23, 2016 |access-date=June 11, 2016}}</ref>

=== Foreign policy ===
In November 2006, Thune said he believed the U.S. could win the [[Iraq War]] through stability. He elaborated, "It's making sure that Iraq can't be a staging ground for terrorist attacks against its neighbors in the region or, worse yet, against the United States." Thune also espoused the position that the Bush administration and a majority of members of Congress would grant military commanders the final decision on when to reduce U.S. military forces there.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2006/11/14/Thune-Victory-still-possible-in-Iraq/79151163536318/?upi_ss=%22world+cup%22+%2B+%22united+states%22+%2B+%22washington%22|title=Thune: Victory still possible in Iraq|date=November 14, 2006|publisher=[[UPI]]}}</ref> In July 2008, Thune said that the Bush administration's moves in Iraq had been a "remarkable success", noting civilian casualties had been reduced by 80 percent, and charged Democratic presidential candidate and Senator [[Barack Obama]] with failing "to acknowledge the basic fact of the success and result and progress and gains that have been made as a result of the surge."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/07/27/Thune-Obama-wont-acknowledge-Iraq-wins/28761217195869/|title=Thune: Obama won't acknowledge Iraq wins|date=July 27, 2008|publisher=UPI}}</ref>

In December 2010, Thune was among 26 senators who voted against the ratification of [[New START]],<ref>{{cite web|first=Mark |last=Memmott |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/12/22/132262684/senate-ratifies-start |title=Senate Ratifies START |work=[[NPR]] |date=December 22, 2010 |access-date=December 22, 2010}}</ref> a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and the [[Russia|Russian Federation]] obliging both countries to have no more than 1,550 strategic warheads and 700 launchers deployed during the next seven years, and providing for a continuation of on-site inspections that halted when [[START I]] expired the previous year. It was the first arms treaty with Russia in eight years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/world/europe/23treaty.html|title=Senate Passes Arms Control Treaty With Russia, 71-26|first=Peter|last=Baker|author-link=Peter Baker (journalist)|newspaper=New York Times|date=December 22, 2010|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref>

In November 2012, Thune and [[Chuck Grassley]] requested that [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Treasury Secretary]] [[Timothy Geithner]] provide a review of the Chinese company Wanxiang Group's plan to acquire bankrupt battery maker A123, arguing that the transaction should be reviewed to ensure that U.S. military and taxpayer interests in A123 were protected.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2012-11-01-sns-rt-a123-bankruptcycfiusl1e8m1kd3-20121101-story.html|title=US senators seek thorough review of Chinese bid for A123|agency=Reuters|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=November 1, 2012|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref> In October 2018, Thune requested staff briefings about a [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] report that the [[Government of China|Chinese government]] had implanted malicious hardware into server motherboards, writing charges that "the U.S. hardware supply chain has been purposely tampered with by a foreign power [and] must be taken seriously."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-cyber-apple/republican-senator-seeks-briefings-on-reported-china-hacking-attack-idUSKCN1MJ2O8|title=U.S. Republican senator seeks briefings on reported China hacking attack|date=October 9, 2018|publisher=Reuters|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref>
[[File:Thune eats with Soldier (6102055).jpg|thumb|left|Thune at Powidz Air Base in Poland in 2020]]
In September 2016, Thune was among 34 senators to sign a letter to [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[John Kerry]] advocating that the United States use "all available tools to dissuade Russia from continuing its airstrikes in Syria" from an [[List of Iranian Air Force bases|Iranian airbase]] near [[Hamadan]] and stating that the airstrikes violated "a legally binding Security Council Resolution" on Iran.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/296603-gop-pressures-kerry-on-russias-use-of-iranian-airbase/|title=GOP pressures Kerry on Russia's use of Iranian airbase|date=September 19, 2016|first=Rebecca|last=Kheel|newspaper=The Hill|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref> In June 2017, Thune co-sponsored the [[Israel Anti-Boycott Act]] (s. 720), which would have made it a federal crime, punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/07/senate-bill-would-make-it-a-federal-crime-to-boycott-israel.html|title=43 Senators Want to Make It a Federal Crime to Boycott Israeli Settlements|last=Levitz|first=Eric|date=July 19, 2017|website=Intelligencer|language=en|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref> to encourage or participate in boycotts against Israel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors|title=Cosponsors – S.720 – 115th Congress (2017–2018): Israel Anti-Boycott Act|date=March 23, 2017|website=[[congress.gov]]}}</ref> In March 2018, Thune voted to table a resolution spearheaded by [[Bernie Sanders]], [[Chris Murphy]], and [[Mike Lee]] that would have required President Trump to withdraw American troops either in or influencing [[Yemen]] within the next 30 days unless they were combating [[Al-Qaeda]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/379392-senate-sides-with-trump-on-providing-saudi-military-support/|title=Senate sides with Trump on providing Saudi military support|date=March 20, 2018|newspaper=The Hill|first=Jordain|last=Carney|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref>
[[File:John Thune and Benjamin Netanyahu (2025) 01.jpg|thumb|Thune with Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] on February 6, 2025]]
After the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Thune said that the [[Ukrainians|Ukrainian people]] could not sustain the war without military support from the U.S. and other countries. He called on European partners to make robust contributions to help Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thune: We Must Continue Supporting Ukraine in Its Fight for Freedom|url=https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2022/5/thune-we-must-continue-supporting-ukraine-in-its-fight-for-freedom|last=|first=|date=May 10, 2022|website=|language=en|access-date=November 9, 2022}}</ref> In 2025, Thune supported [[secondary sanctions]] against Russia that would impose 500% [[Tariffs in the second Trump administration|tariffs]] on countries that buy [[Petroleum industry in Russia|Russian oil]], [[Natural gas in Russia|natural gas]], [[Mining industry of Russia|uranium]] and other exports.<ref>{{cite news |title=US Senate may work on Russia sanctions bill this month |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-may-work-russia-sanctions-bill-this-month-2025-06-02/ |work=Reuters |date=June 2, 2025}}</ref>

===Gun control===
Thune advocates gun rights, having sponsored legislation that would allow individuals with [[concealed carry permit]]s to use such permits as a valid permit in other states.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.humanevents.com/2011/07/19/thune-i-will-bring-back-a-national-concealed-carry-bill/ |title=Thune: I Will Bring Back A National Concealed Carry Bill |work=[[Human Events]] |first=Mark W. |last=McCabe |date=July 19, 2011 |access-date=May 2, 2013 |archive-date=June 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603060222/http://www.humanevents.com/2011/07/19/thune-i-will-bring-back-a-national-concealed-carry-bill/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> He also voted against banning standard-capacity magazines of over 10 rounds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/domestic/John_Thune_Gun_Control.htm|title=John Thune on Gun Control|work=[[On the Issues]]|access-date=March 21, 2019}}</ref><ref name="small"/> On October 3, 2017, Thune became the center of media attention for saying in response to [[2017 Las Vegas shooting|the mass shooting in Las Vegas]]: "It sounds like [the shooter] used [[Stock (firearms)#Bump stock|conversion kits]] and other things, you know, to make the weapons more lethal. We'll look at the facts when we get them all in here. I think a lot of us want to do everything we can to prevent tragedies like that from happening again. You know, it's an open society. And when somebody does what he wants to do it's going to be hard to prevent anything. But I think people are going to have to take steps in their own lives to take precautions. To protect themselves. And in situations like that, you know, try to stay safe. As somebody said, get small."<ref name="small">{{Cite news|url=https://www.salon.com/2017/10/03/gop-senator-john-thune-to-shooting-victims-to-survive-get-small/|title=GOP Senator John Thune to shooting victims: To survive, "get small"|last=May|first=Charlie|date=October 3, 2017|work=Salon|access-date=October 5, 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/10/senators-strategy-to-combat-gun-violence-get-small.html|title=Senator's Strategy to Combat Gun Violence: 'Get Small'|last=Hart|first=Benjamin|date=October 3, 2017|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|access-date=October 5, 2017|language=en}}</ref>

===Health care===
Thune was among 13 senators who drafted the [[2017 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act replacement proposals#Senate legislation|Senate version]] of the [[American Health Care Act of 2017]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/05/politics/senate-republican-health-care-men/index.html|title=GOP defends having no women in health care group|last1=Bash|first1=Dana|author-link=Dana Bash|last2=Fox|first2=Lauren|date=May 9, 2017|website=CNN|access-date=June 14, 2017|last3=Barrett|first3=Ted}}</ref> Released on June 22, 2017, the bill was known as the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/6/22/15846728/senate-plan-better-care-reconciliation-act|title=The Senate bill to repeal and replace Obamacare, explained|first=Sarah|last=Kliff|date=June 22, 2017|website=Vox}}</ref> In July, Thune said that Republicans would continue trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act regardless of whether that month's effort collapsed: "We are going to vote to repeal and replace Obamacare. It's not a question of if, it's a question of when."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/23/thune-obamacare-repeal-240860|title=Thune: Senate won't give up on Obamacare repeal if bill fails this week|first=Brianne|last=Ehley|date=July 23, 2017|work=Politico|access-date=September 20, 2020}}</ref> On July 25, the Senate voted down The Better Care Reconciliation Act, 43-57.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2017/07/modified-obamacare-repeal-replace-plan-falls-43-57-090978|title=POLITICO Pro: Modified Obamacare repeal-replace plan falls, 43-57|website=subscriber.politicopro.com|last=Pradhan |first=Rachana |date=July 25, 2017}}</ref>

===Judiciary===
In March 2016, about seven months before the next presidential election, Thune declared his opposition to considering President Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court, saying that "the next president should make this lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court" because the "American people deserve to have their voices heard on the nomination of the next Supreme Court justice". In September 2020, less than two months before the next presidential election, Thune supported an immediate vote on Trump's nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy caused by Justice [[Ruth Bader Ginsburg]]'s death.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Desjardins |first1=Lisa |title=What every Republican senator has said about filling a Supreme Court vacancy in an election year |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-every-republican-senator-has-said-about-filling-a-supreme-court-vacancy-in-an-election-year |access-date=October 1, 2020 |work=[[PBS NewsHour]] |date=September 22, 2020}}</ref>

===Social Security===

Thune was among 20 senators to vote against the [[Social Security Fairness Act]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Roll Roll Call Vote 118th Congress - 2nd Session - Vote Number 338 |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1182/vote_118_2_00338.htm |publisher=United States Senate |access-date=March 29, 2025}}</ref>

=== Trade ===
In January 2018, Thune was among 36 Republican senators to sign a letter to President Trump requesting he preserve the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]] by modernizing it for the economy of the 21st century.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/finance/371492-senate-republicans-call-on-trump-to-preserve-nafta/|title=Senate Republicans call on Trump to preserve NAFTA|date=January 30, 2018|first=Vicki|last=Needham|newspaper=The Hill|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref> In July 2018, as the Trump administration pushed for aid for agricultural producers affected by retaliatory tariffs, Thune said the plan offered a "false and short-term" sense of security and cited the importance of fair and free trade for South Dakota's farmers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/f8c9a94c784d4eaa903c53072ef30cfb|title=Sen. John Thune: Farm tariff relief plan 'merely a Band-Aid'|date=July 24, 2018|work=AP News|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref>

===2020 presidential election results===
In December 2020, Thune said he opposed any further efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results. He argued that such efforts would "go down like a shot dog" in the Senate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/politics/top-gop-congressman-says-donald-trump-last-hope-to-challenge-election-will-fail/|title=Top GOP Congressman Says Trump's Last Hope to Challenge Election Will 'Go Down Like a Shot Dog'|first=Sean|last=Neumann|date=December 22, 2020|website=people.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/531227-no-2-gop-senator-efforts-to-overturn-election-would-go-down-like-a-shot-dog/|title=No. 2 GOP senator: Efforts to overturn election would 'go down like a shot dog'|first=Rema|last=Rahman|date=December 21, 2020|website=TheHill}}</ref> Then-President [[Donald Trump]], who contended that the election results were illegitimate and that he had defeated Democratic nominee [[Joe Biden]], responded by attacking Thune on Twitter<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sdstandardnow.com/home/trumps-attack-on-john-thune-calling-our-senior-senator-a-rino-exposes-the-potentially-fatal-identity-crisis-in-the-republican-party|title=Trumps Attack on John Thune Calling Our Senior Senator a Rino Exposes The Potentially Fatal Identity Crisis in the Republican Party|last=Tsitrian|first=John|work=The South Dakota Standard|date=December 23, 2021|access-date=January 11, 2022|archive-date=January 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111153542/https://www.sdstandardnow.com/home/trumps-attack-on-john-thune-calling-our-senior-senator-a-rino-exposes-the-potentially-fatal-identity-crisis-in-the-republican-party|url-status=dead}}</ref> and publicly calling on South Dakota governor [[Kristi Noem]] to challenge him in a 2022 U.S. Senate primary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/01/politics/donald-trump-thune-noem/index.html|title=Trump attacks No. 2 Senate Republican as the President turns on allies in his final days in office|first1=Betsy |last1=Klein|first2=Ted|last2=Barrett |first3=Ali |last3=Zaslav|website=CNN|date=January 1, 2021}}</ref> Thune directly denounced Trump for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election and his role in the January 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. He called his involvement and that of the rioters "inexcusable".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/john-thune-donald-trump-senate-majority-leader/|title=John Thune Once Objected to Trump. Does He Have the Courage to Do So Now?|first=John|last=Nichols|date=November 15, 2024|via=www.thenation.com}}</ref> Thune [[2021 United States Electoral College vote count|voted to certify]] the 2020 presidential election results.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/elections-voting-donald-trump-south-dakota-mike-rounds-d159f0d883fe5855b29d88d0c1fb0c97|title=Rounds dismisses Trump criticism for saying he lost election|date=January 11, 2022|website=AP NEWS}}</ref>

==Presidential and vice-presidential speculation==
Before the selection of [[Sarah Palin]], Thune was mentioned as a possible vice-presidential pick for Republican nominee [[John McCain]] in the 2008 presidential election. Thune publicly played down the speculation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/thune-says-hes-out-of-the-gop-vp-sweepstakes/ |title=Thune Says He's Out Of The GOP VP Sweepstakes |publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=August 25, 2008|first=Vaughn|last=Ververs |access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref>

Significant speculation arose regarding a potential 2012 presidential bid by Thune.<ref>{{cite news |title= John Thune Begins Potential 2012 Bid By Skirting TARP Vote |first= Jason|last= Linkins|newspaper= [[Huffington Post]]|date= October 4, 2010|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/04/john-thune-begins-potenti_n_749211.html|access-date=October 25, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2010/01/daschle-dashing-thune-in-2012-mix-031431 |title=Daschle-dashing Thune in 2012 mix|first=Jonathan|last=Martin|author-link=Jonathan Martin (journalist) |work=Politico |date=January 13, 2010|access-date=June 13, 2010}}</ref><ref name="allen">{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Mike|title=John Thune plans to run in 2012|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2010/09/thune-plans-to-run-in-2012-042708|access-date=September 30, 2010|newspaper=Politico|date=September 25, 2010}}</ref> He was encouraged to run by Senate minority leader [[Mitch McConnell]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Beutler|first=Brian|date=January 26, 2011|url=https://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/thune-rejects-obama-s-call-for-infrastructure-investment|title=Thune Rejects Obama's Call For Infrastructure Investment|work=[[Talking Points Memo]]|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref> and [[South Carolina]] Senator [[Lindsey Graham]], who called him "a consensus builder".<ref name=Graham>{{cite web|last=Costa|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Costa (journalist)|date=January 28, 2011|url= http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/258286/graham-real-high-thune-says-12-contender-has-unlimited-potential-robert-costa|title=Graham 'Real High' on Thune, Says '12 Contender Has 'Unlimited Potential'|work=[[National Review]]|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref> The ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' wrote that Thune had "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."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703578104575397293707873352 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |first=John |last=Fund|author-link=John Fund |title=A Presidential Dark Horse With Bright Ideas |date=July 30, 2010|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref> DNC executive director [[Jennifer O'Malley Dillon]] publicly said that in a field of generally flawed Republican potential presidential candidates, Thune was the one she feared.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/23/john-thune-scares-dnc-exe_n_657607.html |work=HuffPost |first=Sam |last=Stein |title=John Thune Worries DNC Executive The Most Among 2012 Prospects |date=July 23, 2010|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref> Multiple commentators asserted that a Thune presidential candidacy would be helped by his personal appearance.<ref>Multiple sources:
*{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2010/11/political-markets-betting-on-thune-045697 |title=Political markets betting on John Thune in 2012|first=Kasie|last=Hunt|author-link=Kasie Hunt|work=Politico|date=November 30, 2010|access-date=January 28, 2015}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sizing-up-the-2012-gop-presidential-contenders/|title=Sizing up the 2012 GOP presidential contenders|publisher=CBS News|date=February 9, 2011|first1=Robert|last1=Hendin|first2=Brian|last2=Montopoli|first3=Jill|last3=Jackson|access-date=January 28, 2015}}
*{{cite web|url=http://whogetswhat.wordpress.com/2010/09/30/the-presidential-prospects-of-senator-thune/|title=The presidential prospects of Senator Thune|work=Who Gets What|date=September 30, 2010|access-date=January 28, 2015}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_07/024942.php|title=Someone buy Thune a calculator|work=[[Washington Monthly]]|first=Steve|last=Benen|author-link=Steve Benen|date=July 28, 2010|access-date=January 28, 2015|archive-date=January 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128112052/http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_07/024942.php|url-status=dead}}
</ref> On February 22, 2011, Thune announced he would not run for president in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last=Merchant|first=Nomaan|date=February 22, 2011|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-thune-declines-to-run-for-president-for-2012-2011feb22-story.html|title=Thune declines to run for president for 2012|agency=[[Associated Press]]|work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref>

During the summer of 2012, the ''[[USA Today]]'' reported that Thune was on [[Mitt Romney]]'s short list as a potential running mate. [[Wisconsin]] Congressman [[Paul Ryan]] was selected instead.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/story/2012-06-09/senator-john-thune-romney-vice-president/55482670/1?csp=34news |work=USA Today |title=Most Popular E-mail Newsletter |date=June 10, 2012 |access-date=October 17, 2012 |archive-date=January 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128184121/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/story/2012-06-09/senator-john-thune-romney-vice-president/55482670/1?csp=34news |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Despite some speculation, Thune declined to seek the presidency in 2016, saying that his "window ... might have closed in 2012".<ref name="LHagen">{{cite news|last1=Hagen |first1=Lisa |last2=Railey |first2=Kimberly |title=The Congressional Tease Caucus: 9 Members Who Think (but Never Act) on Running for Higher Office |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/the-congressional-tease-caucus-9-members-who-think-but-never-act-on-running-for-higher-office-20150118 |access-date=January 20, 2015 |work=[[National Journal]] |date=January 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119104358/http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/the-congressional-tease-caucus-9-members-who-think-but-never-act-on-running-for-higher-office-20150118 |archive-date=January 19, 2015 }}</ref>

==Electoral history==
{{See also|2010 United States Senate election in South Dakota|2016 United States Senate election in South Dakota|2022 United States Senate election in South Dakota}}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" |South Dakota's at-large Congressional district Republican primary election, 1996
|-
|'''Party'''
|'''Candidate'''
|'''Votes'''
|'''%'''
|-
|'''Republican'''
|{{checked}}'''John R. Thune'''
|'''41,322'''
|'''59.49'''
|-
|Republican
|[[Carole Hillard]]
|28,139
|40.51
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ {{ushr|South Dakota|AL|}}: Results 1996–2000<ref name="clerkresults">{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |title=Election Statistics |access-date=August 8, 2007|website=clerk.house.gov |publisher=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070725184700/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |archive-date=July 25, 2007 }}</ref>
! Year
!
! Democratic
! Votes
! Pct
!
! Republican
! Votes
! Pct
!
! 3rd Party
! Party
! Votes
! Pct
!
! 3rd Party
! Party
! Votes
! Pct
!
|-
|[[U.S. House election, 1996|1996]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|[[Rick Weiland]]}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |119,547
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |37%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|{{checked}}'''John R. Thune'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''186,393'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''58%'''
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |{{nowrap|Stacey L.}} Nelson
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |[[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |10,397
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Kurt Evans
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |[[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |6,866
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |2%
|
|-
|[[U.S. House election, 1998|1998]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |[[Jeff Moser]]
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |64,433
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |25%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{checked}}'''John R. Thune''' '''(incumbent)'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''194,157'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''75%'''
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[U.S. House election, 2000|2000]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |[[Curt Hohn]]
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |78,321
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |25%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{checked}}'''John R. Thune''' '''(incumbent)'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''231,083'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''73%'''
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Brian Lerohl
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |5,357
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ [[List of United States senators from South Dakota|Senate elections in South Dakota]]: Results 2002–2022<ref name="clerkresults" />
! Year
!
! Democratic
! Votes
! Pct
!
! Republican
! Votes
! Pct
!
! 3rd Party
! Party
! Votes
! Pct
!
|-
|[[United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2002|2002]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{checked}}{{nowrap|'''[[Tim Johnson (U.S. Senator)|Tim Johnson]]'''}} '''(incumbent)'''
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |'''167,481'''
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''50%'''
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |John R. Thune
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |166,949
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |49%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Kurt Evans
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |3,071
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |1%
|
|-
|[[United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2004|2004]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |[[Tom Daschle]] (incumbent)
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |193,340
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |49%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{checked}}'''John R. Thune'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''197,848'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''51%'''
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2010|2010]]
|
|
|
|
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{checked}}'''John R. Thune''' '''(incumbent)'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''227,947'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''100%'''
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2016|2016]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Jay Williams
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |104,140
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |28%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{checked}}'''John R. Thune''' '''(incumbent)'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''265,516'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''72%'''
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[2022 United States Senate election in South Dakota|2022]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Brian Bengs
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |91,007
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |26.15%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{checked}}'''John R. Thune''' '''(incumbent)'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''242,316'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''69.63%'''
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Tamara Lesnar
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |14,697
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |4.22%
|
|}

==Personal life==
[[File:John Thune with family (2025).jpg|left|thumb|Senator Thune with his family in 2025]]
Thune is an [[Evangelicalism|evangelical Christian]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/thune-vp-chatter-i-know-nothing-n599996|title=Thune on VP Chatter: 'I Know Nothing'|publisher=NBC News|first=Kelly|last=O'Donnell|date=June 28, 2016|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref> He married Kimberley Weems of [[Doland, South Dakota]] in 1984.<ref name="allen" /> The Thunes have two daughters. As of 2018, they had five grandchildren.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://heavy.com/news/2018/12/kimberley-thune-senator-john-thune-wife/|title=Kimberley Thune, John Thune's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|work=[[Heavy (website)|Heavy]]|first=Erin|last=Laviola|date=December 10, 2018|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref>

Thune is physically active and has frequently competed in running events. A 2012 ''[[Runner's World Magazine]]'' feature called Thune "the fastest man in Congress since 2009."<ref>{{cite web|last=McCue |first=Matt |url=http://www.runnersworld.com/article/printer/1,7124,s6-243-297--14570-0,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201203100/http://www.runnersworld.com/article/printer/1,7124,s6-243-297--14570-0,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |title=2012 Election Year Special |work=[[Runner's World ]]|date=October 15, 2012 |access-date=May 2, 2013 }}</ref>

Thune is a fan of the bands [[Styx (band)|Styx]], [[Journey (band)|Journey]], [[Boston (band)|Boston]], and the [[Doobie Brothers]].<ref>{{cite news|author-link=Dana Milbank|last=Milbank|first=Dana|date=February 20, 2005|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38575-2005Feb19.html|title=George Wins Time-Travel Race in a Blur|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==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}}
* {{CongLinks | congbio=t000250 | votesmart=398 | fec=S2SD00068 | congress=john-thune/1534 }}<!--
Links formerly displayed via the CongLinks template:
* [http://ballotpedia.org/John_Thune Biography] at [[Ballotpedia]]
* [http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/400546 Congressional profile] at [[GovTrack]]
* [http://www.opencongress.org/people/show/400546 Congressional profile] at [[Participatory Politics Foundation|OpenCongress]]
* [http://www.rollcall.com/members/444.html Congressional profile] at ''[[Roll Call]]''
* [http://www.politifact.com/personalities/john-thune Fact-checking] at [[PolitiFact.com]]
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00004572 Financial information (federal office)] at [[Center for Responsive Politics|OpenSecrets.org]]
* [https://archive.today/20130802191054/http://apps.washingtonpost.com/politics/capitol-assets/member/john-thune Financial investments (personal)] at ''[[The Washington Post]]''
* [http://www.legistorm.com/member/96/Sen_John_Thune.html Staff salaries, trips and personal finance] at LegiStorm.com
* [http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/John_Thune.htm Issue positions and quotes] at [[On the Issues]]
* [http://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-no2006-97611 Works by or about John Thune] in libraries ([[WorldCat]] catalog)
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1983025 Appearances] at the [[Internet Movie Database]]
* [http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/t/john_r_thune/index.html Collected news and commentary] at ''[[The New York Times]]''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160313012259/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gIQAtDPp9O_topic.html Collected news and commentary] at ''[[The Washington Post]]''
* -->

==External links==
* {{Wikiquote-inline}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [https://thune.senate.gov/ Senator John Thune] official U.S. Senate website
* [http://johnthune.com/ John Thune for Senate]
* {{C-SPAN}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Thune, John}}
[[Category:John Thune|*]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century evangelicals]]
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