John Randolph Thune born January 7, 1961 is an American politician currently serving as the senior U.S. senator from South Dakota, a position he has held since 2005. A member of the Republican Party, Thune is set to become the Senate Majority Leader and Senate Republican Leader in January 2025. He is in his fourth term in the Senate and has served as the Senate Minority Whip since 2021. Additionally, Thune is the longest-serving member of South Dakota’s congressional delegation. Prior to his Senate career, he represented South Dakota’s at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2003.
John Thune Biography 2024
Thune’s political career began with his first Senate run in 2002, where he was defeated by incumbent Senator Tim Johnson. However, in 2004, he successfully unseated Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, marking a major political victory. Throughout his Senate tenure, Thune has held various leadership positions, including Republican Chief Deputy Whip from 2007 to 2009 and Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee from 2009 to 2012. He also served as Senate Republican Conference Chair from 2012 to 2019, before being appointed as Majority Whip for the 116th Congress. In 2020, he was named Minority Whip for the 117th Congress, and in 2024, he was elected to become the Senate Republican Leader, succeeding Mitch McConnell.
John Thune Biography Details
| Born | John Randolph Thune January 7, 1961 (age 63)
Pierre, South Dakota, U.S. |
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| Political party | Republican |
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| Spouse | Kimberley Weems (m. 1984) |
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| Children | 2 |
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| Education | Biola University (BA)
University of South Dakota (MBA) |
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John Thune Early Life
John Thune was born in Pierre, South Dakota, to Yvonne Patricia and Harold Richard Thune. His father, a World War II veteran, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service as a fighter pilot in the Pacific theater. Thune’s paternal grandfather, Nicholas Thune, immigrated from Norway and founded Thune Hardware in Mitchell and Murdo, South Dakota. His maternal grandfather was from Ontario, Canada, and his mother was born in Saskatchewan.
As a high school athlete, Thune excelled in basketball, football, and track, graduating from Jones County High School in 1979. He later attended Biola University in California, where he played college basketball and graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in business. Thune went on to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of South Dakota in 1984. After completing his MBA, Thune embarked on a career in politics. He worked as a legislative aide for U.S. Senator James Abdnor from 1985 to 1987. In 1989, Thune moved to Pierre, where he became the executive director of the South Dakota Republican Party for two years. He also served as the Railroad Director for South Dakota under Governor George S. Mickelson from 1991 to 1993, followed by a role as the executive director of the South Dakota Municipal League from 1993 to 1996.
John Thune Bio
Key Detail | Information |
Full Name | John Randolph Thune |
Birth Date | January 7, 1961 |
Birth Place | Pierre, South Dakota |
Political Party | Republican |
Spouse | Kimberley Weems (married 1984) |
Children | 2 daughters |
Education | Biola University (BA), University of South Dakota (MBA) |
Early Life and Education
Category | Details |
Early Life | Born in Pierre, South Dakota. Father, Harold Thune, was a WWII fighter pilot. |
High School | Graduated from Jones County High School (1979). |
Undergraduate | Played college basketball at Biola University, California (BA in Business, 1983). |
Graduate Education | MBA from the University of South Dakota (1984). |
Political Career Timeline
Political Role | Dates |
U.S. House of Representatives | 1997 – 2003 |
U.S. Senate | 2005 – Present |
Senate Republican Conference Chair | 2012 – 2019 |
Senate Majority Whip | 2019 – 2021 |
Senate Minority Whip | 2021 – Present |
Senate Leadership Roles
Leadership Position | Dates |
Senate Republican Conference Chair | 2012 – 2019 |
Senate Republican Policy Committee Chair | 2009 – 2012 |
Senate Minority Whip | 2021 – Present |
Senate Majority Leader-elect | 2025 (Assumed Position) |
Political Focus Areas
Issue Area | Position |
Agriculture | Advocate for dairy farmers and agricultural economy in South Dakota. |
Tax Policy | Strong proponent of repealing the estate tax and other tax cuts. |
Energy | Supports policies to protect the energy industry, including home heating measures. |
Drug Policy | Advocates for sustainability in the 340B drug discount program. |
U.S. Senate Election Results
Election Year | Candidate | Party | Votes % | Outcome |
2002 | Tim Johnson (Incumbent) | Democrat | 50% | Defeated Thune (524-vote margin) |
2004 | Tom Daschle (Incumbent) | Democrat | 49% | Thune won by 2% |
2010 | Unopposed | Republican | 100% | Re-elected |
2016 | Jay Williams | Democrat | 28% | Thune won by 44% |
2022 | Brian Bengs | Democrat | 26% | Thune re-elected with 69% |
Economic and Energy Policies
Policy Area | Position |
Estate Tax | Advocates for repealing the estate tax, which impacts high-net-worth families. |
Business Tax | Supports tax cuts for businesses and deregulation measures. |
Energy | Pushes for expanded domestic energy production and energy security. |
Agriculture | Promotes policies to support South Dakota’s agricultural industry. |
Foreign Policy Positions
Issue | Position |
Iraq War | Supported military efforts, emphasizing the need for stability in Iraq. |
New START Treaty | Voted against the treaty, citing concerns about nuclear arms control. |
China Policy | Advocates for stronger scrutiny of Chinese influence in U.S. technology sectors. |
Health Care and Education
Policy Area | Position |
Healthcare | Opposes the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and supports alternatives to government-run healthcare. |
Student Loan Repayment | Sponsored legislation to allow employers to contribute to employees’ student loan repayments. |
Key Legislative Accomplishments
Legislation | Key Points |
Dairy Margin Coverage Program | Advocated for this program to stabilize dairy farm incomes during low market prices. |
Reliable Home Heating Act | Introduced measures to ensure home heating oil transport during emergencies. |
Presidential and Vice-Presidential Speculation
Year | Role | Details |
2008 | Vice-Presidential Speculation | Mentioned as a potential running mate for John McCain, but speculation faded. |
2012 | Presidential Bid | Chose not to run for President despite strong encouragement and speculation. |
2012 | Vice-Presidential Speculation | Shortlisted for Mitt Romney’s running mate, but Paul Ryan was selected. |
Personal Interests and Hobbies
Interest | Details |
Sports | A competitive runner, often participating in events and marathons. |
Music | Enjoys classic rock bands like Styx, Journey, and Boston. |
Thune Influence on South Dakota Politics
Role | Description |
Senate Representation | As the senior senator, Thune represents South Dakota’s interests in national politics. |
State Advocacy | Focuses on issues important to South Dakota, such as agriculture, rural development, and energy. |
Personal Life
Personal Detail | Information |
Spouse | Kimberley Weems (married in 1984) |
Children | Two daughters, five grandchildren |
Religious Affiliation | Evangelical Christian |
Physical Activity | Regular participant in running and athletic events |
John Thune Net Worth
John Thune’s estimated net worth is $310512
John Thune Summary
John Thune has had a significant impact on South Dakota’s political landscape, as well as on national policy through his leadership in the U.S. Senate. With a background in business and state politics, Thune’s legislative priorities reflect a deep commitment to the economic well-being of his constituents, especially in areas such as agriculture, energy, and business tax policy. His long tenure in Congress, along with his rise to Senate Minority Whip and his expected promotion to Senate Majority Leader, places him at the center of Republican leadership. Despite being frequently mentioned as a potential presidential or vice-presidential candidate, Thune has remained focused on his legislative career and the interests of South Dakota. His personal life reflects a strong family orientation, a commitment to fitness, and a passion for music, all of which inform his down-to-earth public persona.
