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Historical Information

Majority and Minority Leaders of the Minnesota House of Representatives, 1901-present

Compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

The Speaker of the House - usually a member of whichever party holds the majority of seats in the House - presides over House floor sessions, managing the business before the House and maintaining order, and serves as the primary leader of their political party in the House. Typically, the Majority Leader is a member of the same political party as the Speaker, helps the Speaker manage the business of the day, and serves as a second-in-command to the Speaker for their political party in the House. The Minority Leader serves as the primary leader for their political party in the House. The position of Majority or Minority Leader, elected at the beginning of the odd year session by each respective caucus, is usually held for the full biennium. Changes made during the biennium are noted.

This page was compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library from information in Minnesota legislative manuals, Journals of the House, and other sources. While efforts have been made to verify this information in more than one source, the library cannot guarantee the accuracy of sources; errors are possible. Please report any errors to the Library staff.

YEAR MAJORITY LEADER MAJORITY LEADER PARTY MINORITY LEADER MINORITY LEADER PARTY
2025-2026

Harry Niska (R) - Majority Leader from January 14, 2025 to March 17, 2025. Republican Floor Leader beginning March 17, 2025.

Melissa Hortman (DFL) - Speaker Emerita and DFL Caucus Leader from January 14, 2025 to June 14 2025.

Zack Stephenson (DFL) – DFL Caucus Leader beginning September 8, 2025.

Jamie Long (DFL) - DFL Floor Leader.

Leadership was not straightforward in 2025.  The election resulted in a tied House but District 40B was declared vacant at the convening of the House of Representatives on January 14, 2025, giving the Republicans a majority. The House became tied again when a DFL member was sworn in on March 17, 2025. A leadership agreement determined leadership roles. Per the leadership agreement, the DFL Caucus Leader assumed some responsibilities that are typically roles of the Speaker of the House.

 See note under Majority Leader heading.
2023-2024 Jamie Long Democratic-Farmer-Labor Lisa Demuth Republican
2021-2022 Ryan Winkler Democratic-Farmer-Labor Kurt Daudt Republican
2019-2020 Ryan Winkler Democratic-Farmer-Labor Kurt Daudt Republican
2017-2018 Joyce Peppin Republican Melissa Hortman Democratic-Farmer-Labor
2015-2016 Joyce Peppin Republican Paul Thissen Democratic-Farmer-Labor
2013-2014 Erin Murphy Democratic-Farmer-Labor Kurt Daudt Republican
2011-2012 Matt Dean Republican Paul Thissen Democratic-Farmer-Labor
2009-2010 Anthony "Tony" Sertich Democratic-Farmer-Labor Kurt Zellers
Elected House minority leader on June 23, 2009.
Marty Seifert resigned on June 24, 2009 to prepare campaign for governor.		 Republican
2007-2006 Anthony "Tony" Sertich Democratic-Farmer-Labor Marty Seifert Republican
2006 Erik Paulsen Republican Margaret Anderson Kelliher
Elected minority leader on June 20, 2006.
Matt Entenza resigned to focus on state attorney general campaign.		 Democratic-Farmer-Labor
2005-2006 Erik Paulsen Republican Matt Entenza Democratic-Farmer-Labor
2003-2004 Erik Paulsen Republican Matt Entenza Democratic-Farmer-Labor
2001-2002 Tim Pawlenty Republican Tom Pugh Democratic-Farmer-Labor
1999-2000 Tim Pawlenty Republican Tom Pugh Democratic-Farmer-Labor
1997-1998 Ted Winter Democratic-Farmer-Labor Steve Sviggum Independent Republican
1995-1996 Phil Carruthers Democratic-Farmer-Labor Steve Sviggum Independent Republican
1994 Phil Carruthers Democratic-Farmer-Labor Steve Sviggum Independent Republican
1993 Irvin N. Anderson
Elected majority leader on March 25, 1993. Elected speaker on September 1993 by DFL caucus.		 Democratic-Farmer-Labor Steve Sviggum Independent Republican
1993 Allan Welle;
resigned as majority leader, March 1993.		 Democratic-Farmer-Labor Steve Sviggum Independent Republican
1992 Allan Welle Democratic-Farmer-Labor Terry Dempsey Independent Republican
1991 Dee Long
Elected speaker on January 6, 1992.		 Democratic-Farmer-Labor Terry Dempsey Independent Republican
1989-1990 Dee Long
Elected majority leader by DFL caucus.		 Democratic-Farmer-Labor William H. Schreiber Independent Republican
1989 Ann Wynia
Resigned on September 1, 1989 to become commissioner of human services.		 Democratic-Farmer-Labor William H. Schreiber Independent Republican
1987-1988 Robert E. Vanasek
Elected speaker on June 6 1987, effective July 1, 1987.
Ann Wynia elected majority leader by DFL caucus.		 Democratic-Farmer-Labor William H. Schreiber Independent Republican
1985-1986 Connie Levi Independent Republican Fred Norton Democratic-Farmer-Labor
1983-1984 Willis R. Eken
Resigned August 1984, no majority leader elected to replace him. Harry Sieben, speaker, appointed himself majority leader.		 Democratic-Farmer-Labor David M. Jennings Republican
1981-1982 Willis R. Eken Democratic-Farmer-Labor Glen Sherwood
Resigned February 1982 to run for governor. David M. Jennings elected minority leader by IR caucus, 1982.		 Republican
1980 Irvin N. Anderson Democratic-Farmer-Labor Rodney N. Searle Republican
1979 Not Applicable.
The House was evenly divided, 67-67 so the Majority and Minority designations did not exist.
Compromise: both parties assumed designated committee assignments; Jerry Knickerbocker(IR) and Irvin N. Anderson (DFL) were the designated party caucus leaders.		 Not Applicable.
See note under Majority Leader heading.
1977-1978 Irvin N. Anderson Democratic-Farmer-Labor Henry J. Savelkoul Republican
1975-1976 Irvin N. Anderson Democratic-Farmer-Labor Henry J. Savelkoul Republican
1973-1974 Irvin N. Anderson Democratic-Farmer-Labor Aubrey W. Dirlam Republican
1971 Ernest A. Lindstrom Republican Martin O. Sabo Liberal
1969 Aubrey W. Dirlam Conservative Martin O. Sabo Liberal
1967E Aubrey W. Dirlam Conservative
1967 Aubrey W. Dirlam Conservative Fred A. Cina Liberal
1966E Aubrey W. Dirlam Conservative
1965 Aubrey W. Dirlam Conservative Fred A. Cina Liberal
1963 Aubrey W. Dirlam Conservative Fred A. Cina Liberal
1961E Fred A. Cina Liberal
1961 Fred A Cina Liberal Lloyd L. Duxbury Conservative
1959E Fred A. Cina Liberal
1959 Fred A. Cina Liberal Lloyd L. Duxbury Conservative
1958E Fred A. Cina Liberal
1957E Fred A. Cina Liberal
1957 Fred A. Cina Liberal Aubrey W. Dirlam Conservative
1955E Fred A. Cina Liberal
1955 Fred A. Cina Liberal John A. Hartle Conservative
1953 Roy E. Dunn Conservative Fred A. Cina Liberal
1951 Roy E. Dunn Conservative Fred A. Cina Liberal
1949 Roy E. Dunn Conservative Edwin J. Chilgren Liberal
1947 Roy E. Dunn Conservative Joseph L Prifrel Liberal
1945 Roy E. Dunn Conservative Charles L. Halsted Liberal
1944E Roy E. Dunn Conservative
1943 Roy E. Dunn Conservative
1941 Roy E. Dunn Conservative
1939 Roy E. Dunn Conservative
1937E Carl J. Eastvold
1937 Carl J. Eastvold or Roy E. Dunn?
(lists disagree)
1936E Roy E. Dunn Conservative
1935E Roy E. Dunn Conservative
1935 Roy E. Dunn Conservative
1933 John J. McDonough or Roy E. Dunn?
(lists disagree)
1931 Willis I. Norton
1929 Willis I. Norton
1927 Willis I. Norton
1925 Willis I. Norton
1923 Willis I. Norton
1921 Willis I. Norton
1919 Willis I. Norton
1917 Willis I. Norton
1915 Thomas H. Girling
1913 William I. Nolan
1911 George A. MacKenzie
1909 Henry Rines
1907 Anton J. Rockne
1905 Anton J. Rockne
1903 George W. Wilson
1901 Winslow W. Dunn
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Historical Information