By Bart Jansen, CQ Staff

Republican Sen. John Thune announced Friday he won’t be going after one of the leadership slots expected to open up in the wake of Whip Trent Lott ’s announced retirement.

Thune of South Dakota, who has been Lott’s chief deputy whip, had considered running for chairman of either the Conference or Policy committees, the third- and fourth-ranking slots in leadership.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky will stay in place and Conference Chairman Jon Kyl of Arizona appears unopposed to succeed Lott of Mississippi as whip.

Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, the current Policy chairman; Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, who lost the whip race to Lott a year ago; and Richard M. Burr of North Carolina are seeking the conference chairmanship. John Cornyn of Texas appears to be unopposed for Policy chairman if Hutchison remains in the mix to lead the GOP Conference, with voting scheduled Dec. 6.

“As the Chief Deputy Whip, I feel I would serve the Republican conference best by focusing my efforts on helping the Whip organization make a smooth transition and therefore will not be seeking the position of Conference Chairman,” Thune said. “There are excellent candidates running for Conference Chairman and our conference will be well served regardless of who wins.”