- PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers have selected their legislative leaders for the 2027-28 session after the party regained control of both chambers in last week’s general election.
Sen. Bobby Joe Champion of Minneapolis was reelected president of the Minnesota Senate on Thursday, Nov. 5, while House Democrats selected Rep. Zack Stephenson of Coon Rapids as speaker-designate.
Champion, who became the first Black person to serve as Minnesota Senate president in 2023, will continue in the position he has held for four years. The Senate president presides over proceedings when the chamber is in session.
“I am honored by the confidence my colleagues have placed in me to continue to serve as President of the Minnesota Senate,” Champion said in a statement.
Stephenson, first elected to the House in 2018, has led the House DFL caucus since 2025, when he succeeded former Speaker Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park following her assassination in June of that year.
“I am honored to have earned the support of my colleagues to become the 60th Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, following in Melissa Hortman’s footsteps,” Stephenson said in a statement. “We’ll govern in a way that would make her proud.”
Senate Democrats also reelected Sen. Erin Murphy of St. Paul as majority leader and selected Sen. Nick Frentz of North Mankato as deputy majority leader.
In the House, Democrats elected Rep. Jamie Long of Minneapolis as majority leader and Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura of Minneapolis as majority whip.
Republicans selected Sen. Jordan Rasmusson of Fergus Falls as Senate minority leader and Rep. Harry Niska of Ramsey as House minority leader.
The leadership elections followed the Nov. 3 general election, in which Democrats regained control of the Minnesota House and expanded their Senate majority. Unofficial results project a 77-57 DFL majority in the House and a 39-28 majority in the Senate, pending certification and possible recounts.
With Gov.-elect Amy Klobuchar preparing to take office, Democrats will control the governor’s office and both legislative chambers for the first time since the 2023-24 legislative session.
The new Legislature convenes Jan. 12, 2027, when the chambers will formally elect their presiding officers.
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