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- Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate
Majority and Minority Leaders of the Minnesota Senate, 1933-present
Compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library
Abbreviations KEY:
A = Alliance, C = Conservative, D = Democrat, DFL = Democratic-Farmer-Labor, E = Extra Session, FL = Farmer-Labor, IR = Independent-Republican, L = Liberal, P = Populist, R = Republican, W = Whig
The position of Majority or Minority Leader, elected at the beginning of the odd year session, 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 Senate, 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 |
Erin P. Murphy (DFL) – Senate DFL Leader from January 14, 2025 to February 3, 2025. Majority Leader beginning February 3, 2025.
Mark T. Johnson (R) – Senate GOP Leader from January 14, 2025 to February 3, 2025.
Leadership was not straightforward in 2025. Due to a vacant seat at the convening of the Senate on January 14, 2025, the Senate was tied 33-33. A power sharing agreement provided for Senate co-leadership. The DFL became the majority party when a DFL member was sworn in on February 3, 2025.
|
|
Mark T. Johnson - Minority Leader beginning February 3, 2025. |
R |
| 2024 |
Erin P. Murphy
She was elected Majority Leader by the DFL caucus on February 6, 2024 due to the resignation of Senator Kari Dziedzic from her leadership position. |
DFL |
Mark T. Johnson |
R |
| 2023 |
Kari Dziedzic |
DFL |
Mark T. Johnson |
R |
| 2022 |
Jeremy Miller
He was elected Majority Leader by the Republican caucus on September 8, 2021. |
R |
Melisa López Franzen
She was elected Minority Leader by the DFL caucus on September 13, 2021. |
DFL |
| 2021 |
Mark T. Johnson
He was appointed interim Majority Leader in September 2021. |
R |
Susan Kent
She resigned as Minority Leader on September 13, 2021. |
DFL |
| 2021 |
Paul Gazelka
He announced on September 1, 2021 that he will resign as Majority Leader in September. |
R |
Susan Kent
She resigned as Minority Leader on September 13, 2021. |
DFL |
| 2020 |
Paul Gazelka |
R |
Susan Kent
She was elected Minority Leader by the DFL caucus on February 1, 2020. On February 11, 2020, the Senate passed Senate Resolution No. 122 naming a Majority Leader and a Minority Leader. |
DFL |
| 2019 |
Paul Gazelka |
R |
Thomas M. Bakk |
DFL |
| 2017 |
Paul Gazelka |
R |
Thomas M. Bakk |
DFL |
| 2015 |
Thomas M. Bakk |
DFL |
David W. Hann |
R |
| 2013 |
Thomas M. Bakk |
DFL |
David W. Hann |
R |
| 2012 |
David H. Senjem
He was elected Majority Leader by the Republican caucus on December 27, 2011. On January 24, 2012, the Senate passed Senate Resolution No. 92 naming a Majority Leader and a Minority Leader. |
R |
Thomas M. Bakk |
DFL |
| 2011 |
Amy T. Koch
Announced on December 15, 2011 that she was stepping down as Majority Leader. |
R |
Thomas M. Bakk |
DFL |
| 2009 |
Lawrence J. Pogemiller |
DFL |
David H. Senjem |
R |
| 2007 |
Lawrence J. Pogemiller |
DFL |
David H. Senjem |
R |
| 2005 |
Dean Johnson1 |
DFL |
Dick Day |
R |
| 2004 |
Dean Johnson1 [mid-biennium change] |
DFL |
Dick Day |
R |
| 2003 |
John Hottinger |
DFL |
Dick Day |
R |
| 2001 |
Roger D. Moe |
DFL |
Dick Day |
R |
| 1999 |
Roger D. Moe |
DFL |
Dick Day |
R |
| 1997 |
Roger D. Moe |
DFL |
Dick Day
Elected by caucus on July 9, 1997.
Dean Johnson1 |
R
R |
| 1995 |
Roger D. Moe |
DFL |
Dean Johnson1 |
IR |
| 1993 |
Roger D. Moe |
DFL |
Dean Johnson1 |
IR |
| 1991 |
Roger D. Moe |
DFL |
Duane D. Benson |
IR |
| 1989 |
Roger D. Moe |
DFL |
Duane D. Benson |
IR |
| 1987 |
Roger D. Moe |
DFL |
Duane D. Benson |
IR |
| 1985 |
Roger D. Moe |
DFL |
Glen Taylor
James E. Ulland
Resigned from the Legislature to become senior vice president for First Bank Systems. |
IR
IR |
| 1983 |
Roger D. Moe |
DFL |
James E. Ulland |
IR |
| 1981 |
Roger D. Moe |
DFL |
Robert O. Ashbach |
IR |
| 1979 |
Nicholas D. Coleman |
DFL |
Robert O. Ashbach |
IR |
| 1977 |
Nicholas D. Coleman |
DFL |
Robert O. Ashbach |
IR |
| 1975 |
Nicholas D. Coleman |
DFL |
Robert O. Ashbach |
R |
| 1973 |
Nicholas D. Coleman |
DFL |
Harold G. Krieger |
R |
| 1971 |
Stanley W. Holmquist |
C |
Nicholas D. Coleman |
L |
| 1969 |
Stanley W. Holmquist |
C |
Karl F. (Karl Frederick) Grittner |
L |
| 1967 |
Stanley W. Holmquist |
C |
Karl F. (Karl Frederick) Grittner |
L |
| 1965 |
John M. Zwach |
C |
Paul A. Thuet |
L |
| 1963 |
John M. Zwach |
C |
Paul A. Thuet |
L |
| 1961 |
John M. Zwach |
C |
Harold W. Schultz |
L |
| 1959 |
John M. Zwach |
C |
Harold W. Schultz |
L |
| 1957 |
Archie H. Miller |
|
Harold W. Schultz |
L |
| 1955 |
Archie H. Miller |
C |
Harold W. Schultz |
L |
| 1953 |
Archie H. Miller |
C |
B. G. (Bolesaw G., "Bill") Novak |
L |
| 1951 |
Archie H. Miller |
C |
B. G. (Bolesaw G., "Bill") Novak |
L |
| 1949 |
Archie H. Miller
Charles N. (Charles Noah) Orr
Died in a car accident. |
C
C |
|
|
| 1947 |
Charles N. (Charles Noah) Orr |
C |
|
|
| 1945 |
Charles N. (Charles Noah) Orr |
C |
|
|
| 1943 |
Charles N. (Charles Noah) Orr |
C |
|
|
| 1941 |
Charles N. (Charles Noah) Orr |
C |
|
|
| 1939 |
Charles N. (Charles Noah) Orr |
C |
|
|
| 1937 |
Charles N. (Charles Noah) Orr |
C |
|
|
| 1935 |
Charles N. (Charles Noah) Orr |
C |
|
|
| 1933 |
Charles N. (Charles Noah) Orr |
C |
|
|
1Dean Johnson changed political parties and has been both Majority Leader and Minority Leader as a member of different parties.