The Republican Party in the US Senate, under Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, is facing a “free fall” for the remainder of 2026, through the contentious Midterm Elections this coming November.
While there are 53 Republican US Senators, with the recent defeat of Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and John Cornyn of Texas;
and the coming retirement of Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina;
and the continuing reputation for “independence” of Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska;
along with the usual difficult balancing act of Susan Collins of Maine, who faces a very difficult reelection campaigan against Graham Platner;
the potential for the loss of support for Donald Trump for the remainder of this year is likely.
Additionally, Utah Senator John Curtis is an independent minded member, and cannot be counted upon to be in loyal support of Trump on a constant basis, and is not up for reelection until 2030. As the successor to Mitt Romney, he is from the same tradition, as the former Senator and 2012 Presidential nominee, one of total independence.