WASHINGTON, D.C.(WNAX)- South Dakota Senator John Thune last weekend tweeted out his intention to run for a fourth term in the US Senate this year.

He says it took some time and family discussions to get to a decision.

Thune says the six year term was a big consideration.

Thune says the republicans retaking a majority in the Senate this year was also part of his thinking.

Thune is currently the number two republican in the Senate. He was first elected to the Senate in 2004 after previously serving six years in the US House.