Minnesota Legislature
House DFLers select Stephenson as speaker-designate for 2027-2028 biennium
By Mike Cook
House DFLers elected current caucus leader Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) as speaker-designate Thursday night.
Stephenson, who has served as DFL Caucus Leader since 2025, worked on the 2004 campaign of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park), who was assassinated in June 2025. The fifth-term legislator will now fulfill the same role of leading the chamber.
“I am honored to have earned the support of my colleagues to become the 60th Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, following in Melissa Hortman’s footsteps,” Stephenson said in a statement. “We’ll govern in a way that would make her proud.”
First elected in 2018, Stephenson will preside over a House that is projected to have a 77-57 DFL advantage following Tuesday’s election. The race won by Rep. Nolan West (R-Blaine) is subject to a recount after his 22-vote win over DFLer Amanda Matchett.
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Could 2026 retirements lead to record turnover in the House?
By Lisa Kaczke
In the final weeks of the legislative session, House members not seeking re-election to the body have taken a turn at gaveling in a floor session.
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Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls) was ready to end the session March 25, making the motion to adjourn sine die. But not enough of his colleagues shared that sentiment, defeating ...
