McConnell & Trent Lott to Lead Senate Republicans

Sen. Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, was elected unanimously to be the Senate minority leader in the new Congress. He'll replace Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., who is retiring from the Senate under a self-imposed term limit and is a potential contender for the GOP presidential nomination in two years.

The Republican caucus elected Sen. Trent Lott, of Mississippi, a former whip and majority leader won election to the No. 2 post as GOP Whip by one vote over Sen Lemar Alexander, of Tennessee.

On Tuesday, Senate Democrats elected Sen. Harry Reid, of Nevada, as Majority leader and Richard Durbin, of Illinois, as majority whip.