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McConnell thwarts Scott’s long-shot challenge for Senate GOP leadership

Sen. Mitch McConnell will remain at the helm of Senate Republicans, defeating Sen. Rick Scott’s bid Wednesday to oust him as GOP leader.

After hours of private debate and a failed attempt to postpone the internal leadership elections until after the Dec. 6 Georgia Senate runoff, a majority of Senate Republicans chose Mr. McConnell as their leader in a secret ballot contest.

The challenge by Mr. Scott, a Florida Republican and head of Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, came amid a feud over who is to blame for the party’s midterm failure to capture the chamber from Democrats.