Senator John Cornyn officially enters the race to replace Mitch McConnell as Republican leader and reveals he spoke with Donald Trump saying he can fix the 'broken' Congress

• The Texas Republican announces he is throwing his name in the ring to replace McConnell as Republican Senate leader
• McConnell announced he will step down from leadership in November
• Cornyn is one of several GOP senators expected to run for the leadership spot

Senator John Cornyn made it official, he is running to replace Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell when McConnell steps down from leadership in November.

Cornyn said the Senate is ‘broken’ but is pitching himself as the man who can fix it.

The Texas Republican is one of several GOP senators expected to thrown their name in the ring for the top job which McConnell as held for nearly 18 years.

Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Cornyn said he talked to Donald Trump about his intention to run, but said they did not have the conversation about the former president backing him.

Cornyn touted his previous Republican leadership experience as he angles for the job, having served as the GOP Senate Whip from 2013 to 2019 and as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

‘I have learned a lot during my time both in and out of Senate leadership. During my two terms as NRSC Chair, we shrunk Democrats’ majority by five seats and laid the foundation to retake the majority in 2014,’ Cornyn said in a statement Thursday announcing his bid.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas previously served as McConnell’s top lieutenant but Republicans term limit leadership positions, so Thune took over in 2019

Cornyn standing with former President Trump in 2019. In January, the Texas senator endorsed Trump for president as he seeks a second term

Cornyn, 72, said as Republican whip he helped Trump advance his agenda through the Senate including passing the 2017 Republican tax law and confirming two Supreme Court Justices.

He left the role as the second highest ranking Senate Republican in 2019 due to term-limits.

‘Throughout my time I’ve built a track record of listening to colleagues and seeking consensus, while leading the fight to stop bad policies that are harmful to our nation and the conservative cause,’ his statement continued.

Cornyn said he believes the Senate is broken but that it can be fixed and he intends to play a role in that.

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

Sen. McConnell speaking on the floor of the Senate where he announced heh will step down as Senate Republican leader in November

Cornyn’s bid comes after McConnell, 82, announced in a tearful speech on the Senate floor on Wednesday that he would step down from his leadership role in November.

McConnell is the longest serving Senate leader in U.S. history. He has been facing questions over his health lately due to several episodes where he froze mid-speech.

McConnell said it is time for the ‘next generation of leadership’  and he had full confidence in his conference to choose a replacement.

Prior to being elected to the Senate in 2002, Cornyn served as a district judge, was elected to the Texas Supreme Court and served as the state’s attorney general.

Sen. John Thune (left) and John Barrasso (center) currently hold the No. 2 and No. 3 Senate Republican leadership roles

All eyes are also on the current Republican Senate Whip Sen. John Thune, R-SD, and Conference Chair Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., who could also launch bids for the top job.

A source familiar told DailyMail.com that Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is also planning to stage a run for a Republican leadership slot.

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