Bakk will head up DFL Senate Caucus

Posted at 5:06 PM on November 4, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: MN Legislature

DFL Sen. Tom Bakk of Cook will head up a DFL Senate Caucus that is still licking its wounds from major losses on Election Night. For the first time in 38 years, the GOP will have the majority in the Minnesota Senate.

Bakk, who lost his bid to be Senate Majority Leader in 2006, will lead the task of trying to reclaim the majority in 2012. That's when every member is up for reelection because of redistricting. Republcans currently have a 37 to 30 majority in the Minnesota Senate.

Republicans will elect the new Senate Majority leader tomorrow afternoon. GOP Sen. Amy Koch has said she will run for the position.

Meanwhile...

Republicans in the Minnesota House will elect a new speaker and a new Majority Leader on Saturday morning. GOP Rep. Kurt Zellers of Maplewood is expected to be elected Speaker of the House. Two names that have surfaced to be Majority Leader are Matt Dean of Dellwood and Bob Gunther of Fairmont.

Democrats are scheduled to elect a minority leader tonight. Names that have surfaced include DFL Rep. Paul Thissen, DFL Tina Liebling and DFL Rep. Tony Sertich. DFL Rep. Erin Murphy says she does not want the job.

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