House DFLers pick Rep. Zack Stephenson as next caucus leader

House DFLers chose Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) to serve as leader of their caucus late Monday.

He takes the leadership position that opened when Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) and her husband Mark were assassinated June 14.

In his fourth term, Stephenson currently co-chairs the House Ways and Means Committee and serves on the commerce and taxes committees.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) released the following statement: "Leader Stephenson has a difficult job ahead, stepping into the shoes of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. I hope that we can build a strong working relationship based on respect and our shared priority of making life better for Minnesotans. I look forward to continuing our important bipartisan work as 'Team House', begun by Melissa and I last session."

Republicans currently hold a 67-66 advantage in the House; however, a special election for Hortman's seat is scheduled Sept. 16.

“Welcome to DFL House Leader Zack Stephenson," Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) said in a statement. "I look forward to working with Leader Stephenson to build the next chapter of progress in Minnesota. My friend Melissa Hortman taught me a lot about how to lead a caucus. As she once said to me: ‘You’re not new. Sit down and let’s get to work.'"