Sen. John Thune has won an internal election among Republican senators to become the chamber’s next majority leader

Donald Trump nominated South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to helm the Department of Homeland Security, the Trump-Vance transition said Tuesday.

Thune, who is 63 and in his fourth Senate term, has promised to work closely with President-elect Donald Trump despite differences between the two over the years.

Trump says he will nominate South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to head Homeland Security Department WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Trump says he will nominate South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to head Homeland Security Department. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live ...

President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly chosen South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

President-elect Trump announced on Tuesday that Kristi Noem is his pick for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Clinton Anderson, who served as the United States Secretary of Agriculture under President Harry S. Truman, was born in Centerville, South Dakota, though he spent much of his life in New Mexico, serving as a U.S. Representative for the state before his appointment and a U.S. Senator afterward.

Noem, 52, a Trump loyalist who has offered firm backing for the GOP leader’s promise to carry out mass deportations, will preside over multiple agencies.

U.S. Senate Republicans on Wednesday elected South Dakota Sen. John Thune as that chamber’s next majority leader during a closed-door, secret ballot election. When Thune takes over in January, it will mark the first time since 2007 that Kentucky Sen.

Progressive priorities such as abortion rights, grocery tax repeal and legalized recreational marijuana were all defeated.

Trump, in a statement, cited Noem’s strong background in securing the border for the appointment as the Republican looks to crack down on illegal immigration.