Who will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate leader?

John Cornyn is first to throw his hat into the ring as he leads the race alongside John Thune and John Barrasso - but other hopefuls could emerge

There are as many men named John or Jon in the US Senate as there are African Americans and Latinos combined. Three of them are now vying to become Republican leader in the chamber.

Mitch McConnell's announcement on Wednesday that he will step down in November opens the way for a likely contest between senators John Thune of South Dakota, John Cornyn of Texas and John Barrasso of Wyoming. On Thursday Cornyn became the first to throw his hat into the ring.