ST. PAUL – House Republicans have announced the election of Speaker Kurt Daudt (31A-Crown) as House Republican leader following a caucus meeting last week.

“I’m grateful for the overwhelming support of my colleagues to continue as the leader of our caucus,” Daudt said. “While we are disappointed at the results of Tuesday’s election, we know that Democrats will have a difficult time explaining to Minnesotans two years from now why they broke so many of the promises they made on the campaign trail.”

Daudt has served in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2011. He became the House Minority Leader in 2013 before becoming Speaker of the Minnesota House in 2015.

DFL candidates won a majority in the Minnesota House of Representatives during the Nov. 6 election, gaining an additional 18 seats. The Minnesota House of Representatives will begin the 2019 legislative session with 75 DFL representatives and 59 Republican representatives.

“House Republicans will work each day to stand up for the priorities of hardworking Minnesotans, and oppose Democrat efforts to take billions of dollars in taxes out of the pockets of Minnesota families despite our likely budget surplus,” Daudt said.

Later this month, House Republicans will meet to elect additional caucus leadership and announce the selection of a Deputy Republican Leader appointed by Speaker Daudt.