Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) was elected chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee today. He replaces Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), who recently stepped down after revealing an extramarital affair.

Thune, who had been serving as conference vice chair, was elected without opposition, according to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at an afternoon press conference.

Thune said he looked forward to helping "shape an agenda that I think will move America forward and will serve as a counter to some of the agenda items...that are currently being proposed by the president and Democrats in Congress."

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who had held an unofficial seat at the leadership table, will replace Thune as conference vice chair.