WASHINGTON—Republican senators’ secret ballot vote Wednesday for a new leader will test how much lawmakers want to shake things up as they enter an era defined by the populist energy that propelled President-elect Donald Trump back to the White House.

The incoming Senate Republican majority made their very first major move, electing South Dakota Senator John Thune as their next leader. The Washington Post's Rhonda Colvin reports from the Capitol.

U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota was chosen by his peers to lead his Republican senators in the 119th U.S. Congress.

In January, Mike Johnson faces another vote to stay in the job that places him second in line for the presidency after Vice President-elect JD Vance.

Leaders try to limit defectors as Republicans vote on their pick to run chamber next year.

Speaker Mike Johnson is beginning the hard fight for his gavel, a weeks-long campaign that starts Wednesday during internal House Republican leadership elections and will establish the new power centers in Congress for a Washington dominated by President-elect Donald Trump.