John Thune
Republican senior Senator of South Dakota
Representative
South Dakota
January 7, 1997 - January 3, 1999
Representative
South Dakota
January 6, 1999 - January 3, 2001
Representative
South Dakota
January 3, 2001 - January 3, 2003
Senator
South Dakota
January 4, 2005 - January 3, 2011
Senator
South Dakota
January 5, 2011 - January 3, 2017
Senator
South Dakota
January 3, 2017 - January 3, 2023
Senator
South Dakota
January 3, 2023 - January 3, 2029
14
Congresses Served
3
House Terms
4
Senate Terms
January 1, 1961 (64 years old)
Birthday
- Has been serving as the senior United States senator since 2005 and is in his fourth Senate term.
- Holds the position of Senate minority whip since 2021.
- Previously served three terms as the U.S. representative for South Dakota’s at-large congressional district from 1997 to 2003.
- Known for defeating Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle in 2004.
- Held various leadership roles in the Senate, including Republican chief deputy whip, chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, and Senate Republican Conference chair.
- Was selected as majority whip for the 116th Congress and as minority whip for the 117th Congress.
- Born in Pierre, South Dakota, to a World War II fighter pilot father and has Norwegian and Canadian ancestry.
- Was a star athlete in high school and played college basketball.
- Holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from Biola University and an MBA from the University of South Dakota.
- Worked as a legislative aide, executive director of the South Dakota Republican Party, Railroad Director of South Dakota, and executive director of the South Dakota Municipal League before entering politics.
- Has served on various Senate committees, including Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Finance; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and Budget.
- Advocates for gun rights, has proposed legislation related to concealed carry permits, and opposes high-capacity magazine bans.
- Opposed the 2020 presidential election results challenge and faced criticism from then-President Donald Trump.
- Was speculated as a potential vice-presidential pick in 2008 and considered a potential presidential candidate for 2012 and 2016 but did not run.
- Married with two daughters and is known for being physically active and a fan of classic rock bands.