GOP minorities add to their leadership teams

The newly-elected House and Senate Republican minority leaders have filled out their leadership teams.

House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt on Monday announced that Eden Prairie Republican Rep. Jenifer Loon will serve as his deputy minority leader. GOP Minority Leader David Hann also announced two additional assistant leaders on Friday, adding Rochester Sen. Carla Nelson and Alexandria Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen to his team.

Loon, who is heading into her third term, was one of several House members who led election efforts on behalf of the caucus this year. Loon was an assistant majority leader for the last two years.

“Loon is an experienced member with strong relationships inside and outside our caucus,” said Daudt in a statement. “Jenifer’s work on job creation and tax reform will add value to the leadership of the House Republican Caucus and the Minnesota House of Representatives. She will be a very positive face for the Republican Party.”

Hann had seven days after his election to leadership to pick additional assistant leaders. Nelson is serving her second term in the Senate after previously serving in the state House. Ingebrigtsen served as assistant majority leader last session.

“These two well-respected and experienced members of our caucus were key to putting Minnesota on the right track. Minnesota is much better off today than we were two years ago,” Hann said in a statement. “Republican leadership over the past two years has produced a balanced budget, restored Minnesota’s cash flow and budget reserve accounts, addressed the $6 billion deficit and left a $1 billion surplus.”