House Republicans have picked Rep. Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) to lead their caucus for the next two years as House minority leader.
“I have an interest in being part of the team wanting to move forward and look to the future. That’s what we’ve done today,” he said.
His vote was not on the first ballot, yet Daudt, an assistant majority leader the past two sessions, said the caucus is behind him. “We’re very united and looking to the future.”
Entering his second term in the House after six years as a township officer and six more as a county commissioner, Daudt said he is committed to reach across the aisle and work with the DFL majority on a bipartisan basis.
“If they don’t live up to that, we do plan to hold them accountable and we will offer a clear message that shows that we’re committed to create jobs,” he said.
Daudt is optimistic relations between the parties will improve.
“On both sides of the aisle we’ve got new leadership, and I thoroughly do look forward to working with the DFL. They have offered an olive branch and stated they’re willing to work with us in a bipartisan fashion. We want to take them up on that. We know the people of Minnesota don’t want division and delays. … They really want us to get to work and we’re committed to doing that.”
The decision caps a rough week for Republicans, who lost the House and Senate majorities they had for the past two years. The House went from 72-62 Republican to 73-61 DFL; the Senate from 37-30 Republican to 39-28 DFL. Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) was named the minority leader in the Senate Friday.
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