House GOP to elect new minority leader

by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — House Republicans will soon vote on a replacement for Marty Seifert, who is stepping down from his minority leader post to run for governor in 2010.

There are several candidates reportedly running for the job. They include Rep. Kurt Zellers of Maple Grove and Rep. Randy Demmer of Hayfield. Several others are also said to be considering trying for the post.

The minority leader is the public voice of the caucus and its representatives in high-level negotiations.

Republicans currently hold 47 seats in the 134 member chamber. It's small minority but enough to protect an override of Governor Pawlenty's vetoes. Seifert has led the caucus since just after Republicans lost control of the House in 2006.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)