U.S. senator John Thune from South Dakota announced Saturday that he would like to be reelected for a fourth term beginning in 2022.

Thune turned 61 Friday. He has been contemplating retiring from the Senate since months. Even though Thune was criticised by Trump in late 2020, his opposition to the president’s attempt to change the outcome of the 2016 election has given him a path to reelection. Thune’s criticisms of Trump’s politicians have been moderate at times. But he has mainly focused on the destruction of Trump’s plans.

Thune stated in a Twitter statement that “I have always said I would do this work, no matter how difficult, uncomfortable or unpopular it might be.” That work is not over. I am asking South Dakotans to allow me to serve them again in the U.S. after prayerful consideration. Senate.”

Each party is fighting for control over a tightly divided Senate in 2022.

Thune could succeed Senator Mitch McConnell to lead the GOP’s Senate Caucus. Thune was contemplating retiring as powerful Republicans from McConnell and Sen. Lindsey Graham, both of South Carolina, encouraged him to run for another six-year term.

South Dakota’s 2016 election saw Thune win with 72% of the vote. But Trump’s proposal in 2020 to face a primary challenger energized many Republicans, who felt he hadn’t shown enough loyalty the past president. A small number of well-known Republicans suggested they might challenge Thune.

Thune’s decision signals that Thune is willing to challenge Trump. Trump’s clout often forces other politically stable Republicans to leave Congress. Ex-Republican Senators were among the first to cross Trump. Jeff Flake, Arizona; Bob Corker, Tennessee

The two current House Republicans, Adam Kinzinger and Anthony Gonzalez (both from Illinois), who voted to impeach Trump last January after the satirical attack on the Capitol by Trump’s supporters have now decided to resign. The Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, who was in the House GOP leadership position, was also removed. At least two primary candidates are Trump-backed.

Trump could be seen to have lost his power within the party if Thune wins a primary election or Trump doesn’t find an opponent to him.

According to the federal most recent report, Thune has $14.8 million of campaign cash.

For 22 years, he has been a member of Congress and helped to establish a Republican dominance in state politics. He had previously expressed reservations about running again for another term and called it a family decision as he thought it through over the past months.