In a short e-mail statement, Senator John Barrasso R-Wyo. announced his intention to run for the position of Republican Whip

“I have had time to reflect on how I might best serve the Republican Conference and our country.After a lot of thought, I will ask my colleagues for their support and help to work for them as the Assistant Republican Leader.”

According to senate.gov, “Traditionally serving as assistant leaders, whips are mainly responsible for counting heads and rounding up party members for votes and quorum calls, and they occasionally stand in for the majority or minority leaders in their absence.”

Barrasso has been a U.S. Senator representing Wyoming since he was appointed to the position as a result of the death of Senator Craig Thomas. He was elected to finished Thomas’ term in 2008 and has been re-elected in both 2012 and 2018.

Barrasso is currently a ranking member on the Committee for Energy and Natural Resources. He is also a member of the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Foreign Relations as well as a number of sub-committees.

Barrasso’s wife, Bobbi, recently passed away after a battle with brain cancer on January 25, 2024. Bobbi was an advocate for mental health and suicide awareness and prevention.