History of John Thune in Timeline

John Thune is a Republican politician currently serving as a U.S. Senator for South Dakota since 2005. Before joining the Senate, Thune was a U.S. Representative for South Dakota's at-large district. He holds the position of Senate Republican Leader, a role he assumed in January 2025.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1984: Marriage to Kimberley Weems

In 1984, John Thune married Kimberley Weems of Doland, South Dakota.

November 2006: Statement on the Iraq War

In November 2006, John Thune expressed his belief that the U.S. could achieve victory in the Iraq War through stabilization efforts, ensuring that Iraq does not become a base for terrorist attacks against its neighbors or the United States.

July 2008: Comments on Bush Administration's Iraq Policy

In July 2008, John Thune stated that the Bush administration's actions in Iraq had achieved a "remarkable success", citing an 80 percent reduction in civilian casualties. He also criticized then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama for allegedly failing to recognize the progress made as a result of the surge.

2008: Mentioned as Possible Vice-Presidential Pick

Before the selection of Sarah Palin, in 2008, John Thune was mentioned as a potential vice-presidential pick for Republican nominee John McCain in the 2008 presidential election. Thune publicly played down the speculation.

2009: Fastest Man in Congress

Since 2009, John Thune was regarded as "the fastest man in Congress," due to his participation in running events.

December 2010: Vote Against New START Treaty

In December 2010, John Thune was among 26 senators who voted against the ratification of New START, which is a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation. The treaty committed both countries to having no more than 1,550 strategic warheads and 700 launchers deployed over the subsequent seven years, while also allowing for the continuation of on-site inspections.

February 22, 2011: Announcement Not to Run for President in 2012

On February 22, 2011, John Thune announced that he would not be running for president in 2012.

November 2012: Request for Review of Wanxiang Group's Acquisition of A123

In November 2012, John Thune and Chuck Grassley jointly requested that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner conduct a review of the Chinese company Wanxiang Group's plan to acquire the bankrupt battery maker A123. Their concern was to ensure the protection of U.S. military and taxpayer interests in A123.

2012: Short List for Romney's Running Mate

During the summer of 2012, it was reported that John Thune was on Mitt Romney's short list as a potential running mate. Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan was eventually selected instead.

2012: Runner's World Magazine Feature

In 2012, Runner's World Magazine called John Thune "the fastest man in Congress since 2009," noting his participation in running events.

2012: Speculation Regarding 2012 Presidential Bid

Significant speculation arose regarding a potential 2012 presidential bid by John Thune, however he did not end up running. DNC executive director Jennifer O'Malley Dillon publicly said that in a field of generally flawed Republican potential presidential candidates, Thune was the one she feared.

March 6, 2014: Introduction of the Reliable Home Heating Act

On March 6, 2014, John Thune introduced the Reliable Home Heating Act (S. 2086; 113th Congress). This bill aimed to exempt motor carriers transporting home heating oil from federal safety regulations during a state of emergency caused by a fuel shortage, as declared by a state governor. It also required the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to notify states when petroleum reserves fall below historical averages.

March 2016: Opposition to Considering Obama's Supreme Court Nominee

In March 2016, John Thune opposed considering President Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court, arguing that the next president should make the lifetime appointment so that "American people deserve to have their voices heard on the nomination of the next Supreme Court justice".

May 2016: Letter to Facebook Regarding Trending Topics Feature

In May 2016, John Thune sent a letter to Facebook requesting details on how it operates its Trending Topics feature. This action followed a Gizmodo article that cited anonymous sources alleging anti-conservative political bias in the selection of material for the trending topics list. Facebook denied the bias allegations.

September 2016: Letter Advocating Against Russian Airstrikes in Syria

In September 2016, John Thune was among 34 senators who signed a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, advocating for the United States to use "all available tools to dissuade Russia from continuing its airstrikes in Syria" from an Iranian airbase near Hamadan. The letter stated that the airstrikes violated a legally binding Security Council Resolution on Iran.

2016: Decision Not to Seek Presidency

Despite some speculation, in 2016, John Thune declined to seek the presidency, stating that his "window ... might have closed in 2012".

June 2017: Co-sponsorship of Israel Anti-Boycott Act

In June 2017, John Thune co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (s. 720). Had it been enacted, it would have criminalized encouraging or participating in boycotts against Israel, with a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment.

June 22, 2017: Involvement in the American Health Care Act

On June 22, 2017, John Thune was among 13 senators who drafted the Senate version of the American Health Care Act of 2017, also known as the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017. This bill was later voted down by the Senate.

October 3, 2017: Comments on Las Vegas Mass Shooting

On October 3, 2017, in response to the mass shooting in Las Vegas, John Thune stated that the shooter appeared to have used conversion kits to make the weapons more lethal. He emphasized the importance of taking personal precautions in an open society.

December 2017: Letter to Senate Leaders on 340B Program

In December 2017, John Thune was among six senators who signed a letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, requesting their assistance "in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the 340B program". This program mandates that drug companies provide discounts to healthcare organizations that serve a substantial number of low-income patients.

January 2018: Letter to Trump Requesting Preservation of NAFTA

In January 2018, John Thune was among 36 Republican senators who signed a letter to President Trump requesting he preserve the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by modernizing it for the 21st-century economy.

March 2018: Vote to Table Resolution on American Troops in Yemen

In March 2018, John Thune voted to table a resolution spearheaded by Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy, and Mike Lee. The resolution would have required President Trump to withdraw American troops from Yemen within 30 days, unless they were combating Al-Qaeda.

July 2018: Statement on Aid for Agricultural Producers Affected by Tariffs

In July 2018, as the Trump administration pushed for aid for agricultural producers affected by retaliatory tariffs, John Thune said the plan offered a "false and short-term" sense of security and cited the importance of fair and free trade for South Dakota's farmers.

October 2018: Request for Briefings on Hardware Supply Chain Tampering

In October 2018, John Thune requested staff briefings regarding a Bloomberg report alleging that the Chinese government had implanted malicious hardware into server motherboards. He emphasized the seriousness of potential tampering with the U.S. hardware supply chain by a foreign power.

January 2019: Introduction of Legislation to Repeal Estate Tax

In January 2019, John Thune introduced legislation aimed at repealing the estate tax, which, at the time, applied to couples with estates valued above $22.4 million.

February 2019: Sponsorship of Employer Participation in Repayment Act

In February 2019, John Thune co-sponsored the Employer Participation in Repayment Act along with 19 other senators. This act would enable employers to contribute up to $5,250 towards their employees' student loans.

March 2019: Vote Against Green New Deal Resolution

In March 2019, John Thune voted against the Green New Deal resolution along with all Senate Republicans, three Democrats, and an independent. He argued that the implementation of the resolution would be "absolutely be devastating and disastrous" for the agriculture economy in both South Dakota and across the United States.

September 2020: Support for Immediate Vote on Trump's Supreme Court Nominee

In September 2020, John Thune supported an immediate vote on President Trump's nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy caused by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

December 2020: Opposition to Challenging 2020 Election Results

In December 2020, John Thune publicly stated his opposition to further efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election, predicting such efforts would fail in the Senate.

January 6, 2021: Denouncement of Trump's Role in January 6th Riot

On January 6, 2021, John Thune denounced then-President Donald Trump for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election and for his role in the riot at the Capitol. He described Trump's involvement and that of the rioters as "inexcusable".

2022: Twitter Attack by Donald Trump

In 2022, following John Thune's denouncement of attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, then-President Donald Trump attacked Thune on Twitter and publicly called on South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to challenge him in a U.S. Senate primary.

2022: Statement on Military Support for Ukraine

In 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, John Thune stated that the Ukrainian people could not sustain the war without military support from the U.S. and other countries. He urged European partners to make substantial contributions to aid Ukraine.

December 2024: Vote Against the Social Security Fairness Act

In December 2024, John Thune was among 20 senators who voted against the Social Security Fairness Act.

2025: Six Grandchildren

As of 2025, John Thune and his wife Kimberley had six grandchildren.

2025: Support for Secondary Sanctions Against Russia

In 2025, John Thune supported secondary sanctions against Russia that would impose 500% tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, natural gas, uranium, and other exports.