John Thune is a prominent American politician who has been serving as the senior United States senator from South Dakota since 2005
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. Born on January 7, 1961, in Pierre, South Dakota, Thune has had a long and distinguished career in public service
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. He is a member of the Republican Party and currently holds the position of Senate Majority Leader, a role he assumed in January 2025
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Thune’s journey into politics began at a young age
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. His interest in public service was sparked during a high school basketball game when he was introduced to then-South Dakota U.S. Rep. Jim Abdnor
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. This encounter led to a friendship that ignited Thune’s passion for politics
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. He went on to earn his undergraduate degree at Biola University and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of South Dakota
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Before his election to the Senate, Thune served three terms as the U.S. representative for South Dakota’s at-large congressional district from 1997 to 2003
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. He first ran for the U.S. Senate in 2002 but lost to incumbent Senator Tim Johnson
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. However, he made history in 2004 by defeating Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, becoming the first person to defeat a sitting Senate party leader in over 50 years
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Throughout his tenure in the Senate, Thune has held several key leadership positions
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. He served as the Republican chief deputy whip from 2007 to 2009, chaired the Senate Republican Policy Committee from 2009 to 2012, and was the Senate Republican Conference chair from 2012 to 2019
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. In 2020, he was chosen as minority whip for the 117th Congress, and in 2024, he was elected Senate Republican leader, succeeding Mitch McConnell
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Thune is known for his work on various committees, including the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee; the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; and the Finance Committee
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. He has been a strong advocate for issues such as agriculture, economic growth, national security, and protecting life
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In addition to his political career, Thune enjoys spending time with his family, pheasant hunting, and running
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. He and his wife Kimberley have two grown daughters and five grandchildren
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For more information about John Thune, you can watch this YouTube video where he discusses his views on various political issues.
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en.wikipedia.org
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www.thune.senate.gov
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www.thune.senate.gov
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