Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) was re-elected Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference today by his fellow Republican Senators. Thune was originally elected to the post in December of 2011, but officially assumed the position of Senate Republican Conference Chairman in January of 2012 when Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) stepped down from the position. The Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference is the number three leadership position for Senate Republicans and is tasked with spearheading messaging efforts for the conference.

“I thank my Republican Senate colleagues for again electing me to serve as Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference,” said Thune. “Our country is at a critical point and the stakes have never been higher. As our conference works to address the major challenges facing our nation, including the fiscal cliff, rampant unemployment, and the crippling debt, we also stand ready and willing to work across the aisle in order to meet these challenges. I will continue to work hard to ensure that issues important to our nation and to South Dakota, like agriculture, transportation, and defense are brought to the forefront of policy discussions, and that Republicans help shape the national conversation to make the case for these and other South Dakota priorities.”

Prior to being elected Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, Thune previously served as Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee and as Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. The Senate Republican Conference helps senators communicate their priorities to the American people through a wide variety of communications resources, including television, radio, and web technology, among other services.