After failing to reclaim control of the Senate in this year’s midterm elections, some Republicans are pointing fingers in blame, while others are reevaluating the party’s priorities.

Among those calling for change is Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., a potential 2024 challenger for the Republican nomination in 2024. 

What You Need To Know

  • After failing to reclaim control of the Senate in this year’s midterm elections, Republicans are re-evaluating the party’s priorities 

  • Among those calling for change is Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who told Spectrum News in an exclusive interview voters sent the party an obvious message in the midterms

  • "I think we better have a pretty serious conversation about our core convictions as a party and the kind of agenda that we're going to offer the American people going forward," Hawley said

  • Others within the GOP are looking at possible alternatives to former President Donald Trump, who announced his candidacy for president in 2024 last month

While Hawley still won't say whether he plans to run for president in 2024, the Missouri senator said that after a less-than-stellar showing for Republicans in this year’s midterm elections, voters have sent the party an obvious message. 

“Particularly after the [Georgia runoff] and the party's performance in Senate races across the country, I think we better have a pretty serious conversation about our core convictions as a party and the kind of agenda that we're going to offer the American people going forward," Hawley said in an exclusive interview with Spectrum News on Wednesday.

“What voters have said is they've looked at what Senate Republicans did the last couple of years and they're like, 'they're not very compelling to us,'" Hawley added. "They don't like Joe Biden, but they really not buying what Senate leadership has been selling and that's a problem." 

The Missouri Republican, a staunch conservative and frequent critic of the Biden administration, was among a handful of Republicans who voted on to give rail workers seven days of paid sick leave, an amendment on a bill to avert a nationwide rail strike. Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., were among the six Republicans who voted in favor of the proposal, which ultimately failed to pass the 60-vote threshold needed to be included in the final deal.

Hawley said his vote wasn't about setting himself up as a more populist conservative, but rather was a reflection of what he said “the people” want. 

Some within the GOP are looking at possible alternatives to former President Donald Trump, who announced his candidacy for president in 2024 last month.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is among those who also say the results of the midterm elections have changed things for Republicans

“This is different than what it was when Trump ran the first time," the Republican governor said. "Hee was able to pick off the other candidates out there one by one. I think people understand what we're up against now."

Hawley says that he and his fellow lawmakers have more pressing issues to attend to before the lame-duck session ends, including passing a bill to keep the government funded and enacting the annual military defense spending bill.