On Wednesday morning, shortly before a majority of GOP senators cast their votes for Thune, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz appeared to abandon fellow Texas U.S. Senator John Cornyn, announcing he would back U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida for the vaunted position.

Reports from Washington have Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, who serves as Senate Republican whip, winning the leadership role after two rounds of voting by secret ballot. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, who had earned the support of several allies of President Donald Trump, was reportedly eliminated during the first round of voting.

Ahead of the U.S. Senate choosing its new majority leader, several Republican and advocacy groups in Texas issued statements opposing U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, from being considered. Long-time Republican Leader Mitch McConnell,