Minnesota Minute: Legislative Caucuses Select Leadership

Minnesota Legislative Caucuses Select Leadership

Minnesota legislative caucuses began organizing following an election that gave the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party clear majorities in both chambers as well as the Governor’s Office. All four caucuses have now selected their leadership and will continue to organize ahead of the 2027 legislative session. They are expected to select committee chairs and membership in the coming weeks.

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House DFL

House Democrats elected Rep. Zack Stephenson of Coon Rapids as Speaker-Designate. He has been the House DFL leader since mid-2025. With Democrats holding a 77-57 majority, Stephenson is positioned to become speaker when the Legislature convenes in January. The caucus also chose Rep. Jamie Long of Minneapolis as majority leader, and Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura of Minneapolis as majority whip.

The caucus is expected to make affordability a centerpiece of its agenda, particularly the cost of health care, housing and child care. Other priorities discussed by House Democrats include banning semi-automatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, preventing fraud in state programs, and closing tax loopholes that they argue the ultra-wealthy and corporations exploit.

“We really need to take aggressive action to bring down the cost of health care and housing,” Speaker-Designate Stephenson said in discussing the caucus’s plans for the upcoming session. “We all think that middle class folks, working class folks, are paying their fair share already.”

House Republicans

With House Speaker Lisa Demuth exiting the House of Representatives following her unsuccessful run for Minnesota Governor, House Republicans elected Harry Niska of Ramsey as minority leader. Niska served as the Republican floor leader during the 2025-2026 biennium when the House was evenly split with 67 members from each caucus. Niska appointed Jim Nash of Waconia as deputy minority leader. Niska signaled that Republicans will look for opportunities to work with Governor-elect Amy Klobuchar, particularly on her campaign commitments to avoid tax increases, reduce government red tape, and audit state government. Niska also identified affordability, reducing taxes and government spending, combating fraud, improving public safety and education, lowering energy and property-tax costs, and improving Minnesota’s business climate as major Republican priorities.

Senate DFL

Senate Democrats reelected Erin Murphy of St. Paul as Senate majority leader. Murphy has served as majority leader since the beginning of 2024. The caucus also selected Bobby Joe Champion as Senate president, Nick Frentz as deputy majority leader, John Marty as Finance Committee chair and Scott Dibble as Taxes Committee chair.

Murphy identified health care and energy affordability as immediate priorities, along with addressing broader cost pressures facing Minnesota families. Senate Democrats are also expected to revive legislation restricting certain high-powered firearms and large-capacity magazines. Senator Murphy has said previously stalled gun legislation will be among the first issues the Senate takes up next year.

“We have heard the frustration Minnesotans are feeling,” Murphy said following her election. “We are committed to policies that address those concerns and help improve their lives.”

Senate Republicans

Senate Republicans elected Jordan Rasmusson of Fergus Falls as their new caucus leader, replacing Mark Johnson, who served as the minority leader since 2023. The caucus also announced Senators Julia Coleman of Waconia, Karin Housley of Stillwater, John Jasinski of Faribault, and Jeremy Munson of Lake Crystal as assistant leaders.

Rasmusson said “Senate Republicans are committed to holding government accountable, addressing the high costs that are squeezing family budgets, and supporting real economic growth to get our state working again. Our team is united and ready to speak for those who have been left behind by Democrat priorities.”

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