RAPID CITY, SD — During a visit to agriculture technology company C-Lock yesterday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune spoke in a brief press conference, remarking on a recent article from The New Republic. 

This article predicted a significant upset among Republican officials following midterm elections, owing primarily to Republicans’ failure to secure wins on major issues outside of the Big Beautiful Bill, primarily focusing on legislation to combat affordability issues, as well as the Republican Party’s avoidance of information provided in the released Epstein Files.

“When you don’t have a presidential candidate or a presidential election on the ballot tends to be pocketbook elections. I think most people are economic voters, especially people in the middle.” said Thune “You know, the respective bases on the left and the right, the Democrats and the Republicans, they’ve got a particular issue set that they care passionately about but the broad middle of the electorate? Their kitchen table issues are: do I have more money in my pocket? Is my neighborhood safe? Is my community safe? What are the opportunities for my kids to get ahead in the future?”

Thune focused primarily on victories gained by the legislative success of the BBB, the lowered rate of inflation, and current legislation which he did not name, but said was intending to ease the housing crisis. He cited the growing economy as an example of success by Republican Lawmakers, remarking that growth and capital investments by US companies “Creates those better paying jobs and better wages, and that’s better for everybody,” additionally citing increased tax cuts for businesses as a driver of capital investment among US companies. He did not speak on the elevated cost of food, which has remained since 2020.

Thune initially did not remark on the Epstein files, which appear to implicate several prominent Republican and Democrat figures with the notorious Financier and Sex Offender. The files have been a hot bipartisan issue, with the public demanding to review investigator documentation on him and his contacts since Epstein’s death in 2019, while detained and awaiting trial on charges of human trafficking.

“I’m a big believer in transparency, I think sunshine’s always the best…. What do they call it, disinfectant?” said Thune, on the information on Epstein which has since come to light, “I guess it is, but I just think that we should get the information out there what the American people decide. Those who have issues, you know that perhaps that were named or in some context in the Epstein files, those are questions they’ll have to answer, then the American people decide how much it matters to them.” 

“I think it matters to some more than it does to others, but as far as I’m concerned, the information is getting out there. People can make their own determinations”.