Mitch McConnell’s departure sets up Trump-fuelled fight for Republican Party

Three “Johns” – Thune of South Dakota, Cornyn of Texas and Barrasso of Wyoming – are the most likely candidates to succeed McConnell, who has occupied the party leader’s prime suite of offices just steps from the Senate floor for the last 17 years.

Unlike McConnell, who has a fraught relationship with the former US president, all three men have endorsed Trump in his third bid for the White House.

But their ties to Trump – whose grip on the Republican Party has strengthened through a wave of primary victories – vary.

Barrasso, the No 3 Republican, backed Trump in early January, nearly a week before the January 15 Iowa caucus, and drew effusive praise from the Republican front-runner.