In the first seriously contested Senate Republican leadership election in decades, three senators are vying to replace longtime GOP leader Mitch McConnell when he steps down from the post at the beginning of next year.

Senate Republicans returned to Washington for the first time since they secured a comfortable Senate majority and a victory for President-elect Donald Trump, but most had their eyes on a different election taking place Wednesday to determine the new party leader in the chamber.

Sen. John Thune (R-SD) was selected as the next Republican leader of the U.S. Senate, succeeding Mitch McConnell. Thune defeated Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) in what was a hotly contested race.

The Senate GOP elects a new frontman tomorrow; Rick Scott wants to help Trump sidestep the body to install extremists in the Cabinet