The 63-year-old Murdo native won the job in a secret ballot among GOP senators in Washington

South Dakota’s Thune voted Senate majority leader
Webster Mayor Mike Grosek was among members of the public to greet U.S. Sen. John Thune, right, when he visited constituents in 2021. Thune has now been voted to serve as the Senate majority leader. Reporter & Farmer | file photo by Amanda Dulitz
Webster Mayor Mike Grosek was among members of the public to greet U.S. Sen. John Thune, right, when he visited constituents in 2021. Thune has now been voted to serve as the Senate majority leader. Reporter & Farmer | file photo by Amanda Dulitz

Two decades after John Thune ignited his political brand by knocking off Democratic Senate Leader Tom Daschle in South Dakota’s momentous 2004 U.S. Senate race, he will assume the Republican leadership role himself.

South Dakota’s senior senator won the job in a secret ballot among GOP senators in Washington Nov. 13, snuffing out speculation that contenders closer to President-elect Donald Trump wo…