John Thune

A Senator and a Representative from South Dakota. Born in Pierre, Hughes County, S. Dak. , January 7, 1961. Graduated from Jones County High School, S. Dak. , 1979. B. S. , Biola University, La Mirada, Calif. , 1983. M. B. A. , University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S. Dak. , 1984. Executive director, South Dakota state municipal league. Board of directors, National League of Cities. Staff, United States Senator James Abdnor of South Dakota 1985-1986. South Dakota state Republican party executive director 1989-1991. Director, South Dakota state railroad division 1991-1993. Director, South Dakota state municipal league 1993-1996. Elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Fifth and to the two succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1997-January 3, 2003). Was not a candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Eighth Congress in 2002, but was an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Senate. Elected as a Republican to the U. S. Senate in 2004. Reelected in 2010, 2016, and again in 2022 for the term ending January 3, 2029. Vice-chair, Republican Conference (2009). Chair, Republican Policy Committee (2009-2012). Chair, Republican Conference (2012-2018). Republican party whip (2019-2025). Majority leader (2025-). Chair, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (One Hundred Fourteenth and One Hundred Fifteenth Congresses).