Thune, who is 63 and in his fourth Senate term, has promised to work closely with Trump despite differences the two have had over the years.

Two decades after John Thune ignited his political brand by knocking off Democratic Senate Leader Tom Daschle in South Dakota’s momentous 2004 U.S. Senate race, he will assume the Republican leadership role himself.

Republican senators chose South Dakota Sen. John Thune as their new leader in a closed-door vote on Wednesday. He will take over longtime Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell’s place in January.