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Capitol View®
Tom Scheck

House Republicans will meet Friday to elect leaders

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Republicans who won control of the Minnesota House in Tuesday's election, will meet on Friday to elect a new speaker of the house and majority leader.

House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt says he’s seeking the position of speaker. Former House Majority Leader Matt Dean, R-Dellwood, has also been mentioned as a candidate for speaker. He would not say whether he’s going to run for the job.

Whoever becomes speaker will be the person to select committee chairs, dictate the caucus agenda and automatically become the face of the caucus.

There will be a contest for majority leader. Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley, says she’s been approached to seek the leadership position.

“My intent is to run, and I’m in the midst of talking to folks to see if the support is there to see if I’m the best person to move forward,” Mack said.

Mack said she’s telling her colleagues that it’s important that leadership includes someone who has expertise on health and human services programs and MNsure. She is the lead Republican in the House on both of those issues. Mack also said the election showed Republicans have challenges when it comes to attracting suburban voters.

“I feel like I have a good pulse on that,” Mack said. “I feel like I know what it takes to win in the suburbs and what the issues are there.”

Rep. Joyce Peppin, R-Rogers, is also interested in running for majority leader.

“I come from a very safe district so I’m going to be able to go out and give the caucus time necessary to make sure we have a sustainable majority,” Peppin said.

House Democrats will also be voting to see who should lead their caucus in 2015. House Speaker Paul Thissen and House Majority Leader Erin Murphy both said last night that they intend to run for minority leader.