GOP Whip John Thune of South Dakota was elected by the Senate Republican Conference to succeed Mitch McConnell as leader in a secret election.

Republican senators will cast a secret ballot on Wednesday, and whoever is elected to replace McConnell will inherit a solid majority in the upper chamber.

Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota was elected new Senate majority leader, replacing Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who is stepping aside.

With the GOP on the brink of a governing trifecta in Washington, Trump looms larger than ever, particularly on Capitol Hill, where his influence looks set to grow.

On Wednesday, Republicans chose Sen. John Thune of South Dakota to be the next Senate Majority Leader. That's despite an online pressure campaign waged by Elon Musk and others in support of Sen. Rick Scott of Florida,

The mild-mannered South Dakotan and top McConnell ally recently made efforts to patch up his relationship with President-elect Donald Trump.