Sen. John Cornyn formally announces interest in replacing McConnell later this year

It didn't take long after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced his plans to step down from his leadership role in November for potential challengers to come out of the woodwork.

One of those, according to the Associated Press, is Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who announced last week a formal bid to run for the top Republican leadership spot in the upper chamber.

Cornyn is the first GOP senator to announce his intentions to replace McConnell.

"I believe the Senate is broken -- that is not news to anyone," Cornyn said, in an obvious shot at the aging current leader. However, Cornyn also leaned on his experience as McConnell's number two until he was term-limited out of the job some five years ago.

"From experience, I have learned what works in the Senate and what does not," Cornyn said. "And I am confident Senate Republicans can restore our institution to the essential role it serves in our constitutional republic."

BREAKING: Texas Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) officially announces he intends to succeed @LeaderMcConnellI, says the Senate is broken and, “The good news is that it can be fixed, and I intend to play a major role in fixing it.” Rand Paul (@RandPaul) seems to be the choice of… pic.twitter.com/UaqfTAVEPB

— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) February 29, 2024

Cornyn is one of the "three Johns" who have been floated as likely to run to replace McConnell. The others are South Dakota Sen. John Thune and Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso.

The AP noted:

Cornyn, a former Texas attorney general who was first elected to the Senate in 2002, is a prominent member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a popular member of the GOP conference who is seen as a steady hand. He has managed to bridge some of the caucus’ deep divides in recent years while also occasionally negotiating with Democrats, as he did on bipartisan gun legislation in 2022.

However, that partnership with Democrats on gun-related issues cost him dearly as far as conservatives are concerned, and he isn't exactly the most popular GOP senator on the block.

Social media users were quick to point that out, with many determining that Cornyn is simply McConnell in a lot of ways, just younger.

"He's just a 5 year younger McConnell," JD Sharp wrote on X.

Another X user wrote, "He would be a disaster. There's better options than Cornyn."

Many also suggested that Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (R) would be the best bet to represent conservatives as a whole. To date, Paul hasn't expressed interest in the job, though that can obviously change.

Republican senators are expected to gather later this year to determine who the next GOP Senate leader will be.