John Thune is a member of the U.S. Senate from South Dakota. He assumed office on January 3, 2005. His current term ends on January 3, 2029. Republicans elected Thune as Senate majority leader in November 2024, succeeding Sen. Mitch McConnell as leader of the Republican caucus. Thune was born in Pierre, South Dakota, in 1961. Thune earned his bachelor's degree from Biola University in La Mirada, California, and his master's degree in business administration from the University of South Dakota at Vermillion in 1984. Thune worked as a legislative aide for U.S. Sen. Jim Abdnor, and President Ronald Reagan appointed Thune to the Small Business Administration. He returned to South Dakota in 1989 and served as executive director of the Republican Party of South Dakota for two years, state railroad director for two years, and executive director of the South Dakota Municipal League for three years. Thune ran for South Dakota's at-large seat in the U.S. House in 1996. He defeated Lt. Gov. Carole Hillard in the Republican primary 59%-41% and Rick Weiland 58%-37% in the general election. Thune won re-election in 1998 and 2000 with more than 70% of the vote. Thune pledged to serve three terms in his 1996 campaign and ran for Senate instead of for re-election in 2002. He lost to Sen. Tim Johnson by 532 votes.