John Thune Biography

John Thune (born January 7, 1961) is an American politician who has served as the junior United States Senator from South Dakota since 2005. A member of the Republican Party, Thune previously served as the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference from 2011 to 2015.

Thune was born in Pierre, South Dakota, and raised in Murdo. He graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1983 with a degree in political science. He then worked as a legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Jim Abdnor from 1983 to 1985.

In 1986, Thune was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives. He served in the House for two terms, from 1987 to 1991. In 1991, Thune was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He served in the House for three terms, from 1991 to 1997.

In 1996, Thune ran for the United States Senate. He was defeated by incumbent Democrat Tim Johnson. In 2002, Thune ran for the Senate again and defeated Johnson. He has been re-elected to the Senate in 2008, 2014, and 2020.

As a member of the Senate, Thune has served on the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee; the Appropriations Committee; the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; and the Judiciary Committee. He has also served as the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference from 2011 to 2015.

Thune is a supporter of the Republican Party’s conservative agenda. He is pro-life, pro-gun, and supports lower taxes and limited government. He is also a strong supporter of the U.S. military and veterans’ affairs.

Thune is married to Kimberley Weems. They have two children, a son and a daughter.

Thune is a member of the National Rifle Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the South Dakota National Guard.

Thune is a popular figure in South Dakota. He is known for his down-to-earth personality and his ability to connect with voters. He is also considered to be a rising star in the Republican Party.

Feature	Answer
John Thune	United States Senator from South Dakota
South Dakota	State in the Midwestern United States
United States Senator	Member of the United States Senate
Republican Party	Major conservative political party in the United States
U.S. Senate	Upper chamber of the United States Congress

II. Early Life and Education

John Thune was born on January 7, 1961, in Pierre, South Dakota. He is the son of Harold and Mary Thune. Thune’s father was a farmer and his mother was a homemaker. Thune has two older sisters, Karen and Linda.

Thule attended public schools in Pierre. He graduated from Central High School in 1979. He then attended the University of South Dakota, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1983.

After graduating from college, Thune worked as a salesman for a telecommunications company. He also served as a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1989 to 1993.

III. Political Career

John Thune began his political career in 1990, when he was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives. He served in the House for four terms, from 1991 to 1999. In 1998, Thune was elected to the United States Senate. He has served in the Senate ever since.

During his time in the Senate, Thune has held a number of leadership positions. He was the Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference from 2011 to 2015. He is currently the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Thune is a member of the Republican Party. He is a conservative and a supporter of limited government, free enterprise, and fiscal responsibility.

Thune has been a vocal critic of President Barack Obama’s policies. He has opposed Obama’s healthcare reform law, his environmental regulations, and his economic policies.

Thune is a strong supporter of the military and has been a vocal advocate for increased defense spending. He is also a supporter of Israel and has been a critic of Iran’s nuclear program.

Senator from South Dakota

John Thune was elected to the United States Senate from South Dakota in 2004. He is a member of the Republican Party and has served as the Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference since 2011. Thune is a strong supporter of the Republican Party’s platform and has worked to advance its policies in the Senate. He is also a strong advocate for South Dakota and has worked to bring federal funding to the state for a variety of projects.

V. Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference

In 2011, Thune was elected Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, the second-highest-ranking position in the Senate Republican leadership. In this role, he was responsible for leading the Senate Republicans in their negotiations with the Democratic majority on legislation and on the budget. He also served as the Senate Republican’s point person on the confirmation of President Barack Obama’s judicial nominees.

Thune was re-elected Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference in 2013 and 2015. In 2017, he was elected to the position of Senate Majority Whip, the third-highest-ranking position in the Senate Republican leadership. In this role, he is responsible for helping to manage the Senate Republican caucus and to advance the Republican agenda on the Senate floor.

VI. Presidential Campaign

In 2008, Thune considered running for president, but ultimately decided not to enter the race. In 2012, he again considered running for president, but ultimately decided to run for re-election to the Senate. In 2016, he again considered running for president, but ultimately decided to endorse Donald Trump.

VII. Personal Life

John Thune is married to Kimberley Weems, a former state legislator from South Dakota. They have two children together, a son and a daughter. Thune is a member of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. He and his family live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

VIII. Awards and Honors

John Thune has received a number of awards and honors throughout his career, including:

* The Horatio Alger Award (2012)
* The Theodore Roosevelt Award (2014)
* The American Conservative Union’s Ronald Reagan Award (2015)
* The National Federation of Independent Business’s Spirit of Enterprise Award (2016)
* The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit of Enterprise Award (2017)
* The National Rifle Association’s Defender of Freedom Award (2018)
* The American Legion’s Distinguished Service Award (2019)

These awards recognize Thune’s dedication to public service, his commitment to conservative principles, and his work on behalf of small businesses and the American economy.

IX. Legacy

John Thune has been a major figure in South Dakota politics for over two decades. He has served as a United States Senator since 1997, and he has also served as the Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. Thune is a conservative Republican, and he has been a strong supporter of President Donald Trump. Thune’s legacy is likely to be one of a pragmatic conservative who was able to work across the aisle to get things done.

Thune has been a strong advocate for South Dakota’s interests in the Senate. He has worked to bring federal funding to the state for a variety of projects, including infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Thune has also been a strong supporter of the military, and he has worked to ensure that South Dakota has a strong presence in the armed forces.

Thune is a popular figure in South Dakota, and he is likely to be re-elected to the Senate in 2022. He is also considered to be a potential candidate for President in 2024.

X. FAQ

Question 1: What is John Thune’s political party?

Answer: John Thune is a member of the Republican Party.

Question 2: What offices has John Thune held?

Answer: John Thune has served as the United States Senator from South Dakota since 2005. He previously served as the Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference from 2011 to 2015.

Question 3: What are John Thune’s accomplishments?

Answer: John Thune has been a strong advocate for South Dakota’s interests in the Senate. He has worked to protect the state’s agriculture industry, promote economic development, and improve access to health care.