Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) decision to step down from his leadership role at the end of this term has shifted the spotlight to his possible successors. 

McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader of all time, announced on Wednesday that this Congress would be his last as head of the GOP conference. The news sparked renewed interest in his potential successors, of which there are currently three leading candidates: Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD), Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY), and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).