A former campaign manager and longtime protégé of slain Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman will succeed her as leader of the Minnesota House Democrats.

Rep. Zack Stephenson (D-Coon Rapids) was elected late Monday by the caucus to acts as its main voice in a chamber that's expected to remain tied. Other candidates for the role included DFL floor leader Jamie Long and Reps. Tina Liebling, Dave Pinto and Cheryl Youakim.

After securing a majority of votes from the 66 House Democrats, Stephenson said he's honored to have been chosen by his colleagues.

“Speaker Hortman is irreplaceable — as a leader, a strategist, a colleague and a friend,” he said in a statement. “While I’ve been chosen to lead, it will take all of us, working together, to move forward, honor Speaker Hortman’s legacy, and build

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