Senator John Thune has endorsed Donald Trump for the Republican nomination. With Trump’s crushing victory in Nikki Haley’s home state, Thune essentially declared the primary over, with Americans having to make a binary choice between Trump and Biden.
Thune is a major win for Trump, whose relationship with the Establishment GOP has had its ups and downs. House members have by and large supported Donald Trump, while Senators have generally been more cautious. Fox News first broke the story:
It’s a key win for Trump from the establishment wing of the Republican Party. The South Dakota Republican is Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s top deputy in the Senate GOP.
Thune and Trump spoke by phone on Saturday night after Trump’s commanding victory in the South Carolina Republican primary, a source familiar with the call told Fox News Digital.
Rallying the entire Republican Party will be critical for Trump to win the general election. Biden’s popularity is plummeting when it comes to economic issues, pushing Democrats to focus their message on abortion issues. The Washington Post continues:
“The choice before the American people is crystal clear: It’s Donald Trump or Joe Biden,” Thune said. “I support former president Trump’s campaign to win the presidency, and I intend to do everything I can to see that he has a Republican majority in the Senate working with him.”
Thune is the highest-ranking Republican in the Senate to endorse Trump’s presidential bid.
Trump will have to secure the support of Mitch McConnell who is both disliked by the base but also responsible for many of Trump’s biggest wins. He has already secured the support of House Leader Mike Johnson, further helping his support in Congress.
READ NEXT: Trump Demolishes Haley in Home State
