Demuth named Republican speaker-designate

Current House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) is officially the Republican speaker-designate charged with working with DFL counterparts to get the House organized for the 2025-2026 session.

House Republicans selected Demuth Friday at a lengthy caucus gathering.

“It is an honor to earn the continued trust of my Republican colleagues in the Minnesota House to serve as our caucus leader as we navigate this historic session,” Demuth said in a statement. “Our goal remains clear: to ensure Minnesota families can thrive with lower taxes, safer communities, and greater opportunities for growth.”

Demuth will be serving her fourth term in the House and second in a caucus leadership role.

Additionally, the caucus selected Rep. Harry Niska (R-Ramsey) as deputy leader. He was first elected in 2022.

[Learn more about the incoming Legislature with the preliminary Member Guide 2025-2026]

Republicans went into Election Day optimistic of ending the DFL trifecta of the 2023-2024 session. While, technically, that aim was achieved, the party fell short of taking control of the House for the first time since 2018.

The results of Tuesday’s election leave the House at 67-67 heading, the first time the body has been tied since 1979. Then, a hard-to-strike power-sharing agreement was necessary for the House to function.

“It's going to take full cooperation in how we choose to do our House rules, joint rules," Demuth said during a post-election news conference Wednesday. "All of that will be looked at in a way that will work best for everyone.”

House DFLers on Thursday chose current House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) as their speaker-designate.