Jewish Voter Guide
John Thune
U.S. Senate · SD · Republican
Summary
John Thune was born in 1961 and is currently serving as the senior United States Senator from South Dakota. Senator Thune’s seat will be up for election in 2028.
Thune was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004 and was reelected in 2010 and in 2016. Prior to that, he served as the U.S. Representative for South Dakota’s at-large Congressional District from 1997 until 2003. Senator Thune served as the Republican Deputy Whip in 2006, Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee in 2009, and Chairman of the Republican Conference in 2011. From January 2019, he is serving as the Majority Whip.
Senator Thune is currently serving on the Finance Committee; the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee; and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
Below is Senator Thune’s voting record and public positions on issues important to the Jewish community.
Senator Thune opposed the Iran nuclear deal. He opposed the UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which claimed that Israel’s settlements have no legal validity, and cosponsored legislation that objected the resolution.
Senator Thune cosponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, a bill that aimed to fight discriminatory boycotts that target Israel.
In 2019, he voted for the Strengthening America’s Middle East Security Act which, among other things, strengthened Israel’s security and allowed a state or local government to adopt measures to divest its assets from entities that boycott Israel.
Positions
Per-issue alignment with the American Jewish Congress’s positions. Every claim links to its source. No aggregate score or grade.
U.S.–Israel Relationship
Two-state solution
AlignedSupports the Two State Solution
Opposed UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and supported the two-state solutionUN Security Council Resolution 2334
OpposedOpposed UN Security Council Resolution 2334
Opposed UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and supported the two-state solutionStrengthening America's Middle East Security Act (2019)
AlignedVoted For the Strengthening America's Middle East Security Act of 2019
Voted For the Strengthening America’s Middle East Security Act of 2019Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA)
OpposedOpposed the Iran Deal
Opposed the Iran nuclear dealU.S. embassy in Jerusalem
AlignedSupported the U.S. Embassy Move to Jerusalem
Supported the move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem
BDS & Anti-Israel Sentiment
Anti-BDS measures
AlignedOpposes BDS
Cosponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott ActIsrael Anti-Boycott Act
AlignedSupported the Israel Anti Boycott Act
Cosponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act
Sources
- Opposed the Iran nuclear deal https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2015/7/why-the-iran-nuclear-agreement-is-a-bad-deal-for-america
- Voted For the Strengthening America’s Middle East Security Act of 2019 https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=116&session=1&vote=00016
- Cosponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors
- Supported the move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1935912486419762
- Opposed UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and supported the two-state solution https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-resolution/6/cosponsors
- Cosponsored the United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2497/cosponsors
- Cosponsored Senate Resolution 120 that opposes the global BDS movement https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/120
A note on methodology. This guide is published as an educational reference. The American Jewish Congress does not endorse candidates and does not publish aggregate scores. If you spot a position that needs an update or a better source, please reach the office.