US EditionRep. Zack Stephenson Elected House DFL Leader, Succeeding Melissa Hortman
Zack Stephenson, known for sponsoring major legislation, steps into leadership amid a tied House and looming special session on gun violence, following a months-long vacancy.
- Late Monday night, Rep. Zack Stephenson was chosen to lead the Minnesota House DFL caucus, filling a leadership gap that had lasted several months.
- The election followed the June 14 assassination of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband in their Brooklyn Park home.
- Stephenson, first elected in 2018, serves District 35A including Coon Rapids and will lead amid a tied House and potential special session on gun violence.
- Stephenson acknowledged that everyone is mourning, yet expressed his belief that they will continue their collective efforts moving forward, and he characterized Hortman as an irreplaceable leader.
- The leadership change positions Stephenson to guide the caucus through upcoming legislative challenges, including the Sept. 16 special election to fill Hortman's former seat.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Minnesota House Dems choose Melissa Hortman successor
Minnesota House Democrats have chosen a new caucus leader to fill Melissa Hortman’s seat, the Minnesota Reformer reports. Rep. Zack Stephenson, who has represented the Coon Rapids area since 2019, was mentored by Hortman “for 20 years, teaching him about campaigning, fundraising and serving a Twin Cities metro swing district. Stephenson was also a good friend of Hortman’s and served as a pallbearer during her funeral.” Hundreds Target workers ar…
Post Bulletin
Minnesota House DFL names Zack Stephenson as new leader
ST. PAUL — The Minnesota House DFL announced late Monday night that Rep. Zack Stephenson has been elected as the new caucus leader. Stephenson, 41, of Coon Rapids, is set to fill the role that Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman had served in since 2018. Throughout the 2025 session, he was often seen by Hortman’s side and was inside leadership budget negotiations as co-chair of the Ways and Means Committee. “I am honored to have the support of my c…
Minnesota House Democrats choose new leader after former Speaker Melissa Hortman killed in political attack
Stephenson, who represents Anoka and parts of Coon Rapids, was first elected to the Legislature in 2018 and co-chaired the chamber's Ways and Means Committee this year as the House worked to pass a state budget while tied between Republicans…
Minnesota House Democrats elect Zack Stephenson as new caucus leader AlphaNews.org
Share This StoryLate Monday night, DFL legislators in the Minnesota House of Representatives elected Rep. Zack Stephenson as their new caucus leader. The fourth-term lawmaker from Coon Rapids was expected to compete against Rep. Jamie Long of Minneapolis to replace Melissa Hortman as the top-ranking DFL House member. Stephenson came out on top after House Democrats gathered at the Capitol Monday to choose their new leader — three months after Ho…
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