Stephenson Elected Minnesota House Speaker-Designate
Minnesota House DFL caucus picks Rep. Zack Stephenson to lead the chamber after Democrats won the majority in the November 3 election.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Legislative Policy
The Minnesota House DFL caucus elected Rep. Zack Stephenson as speaker-designate, with Rep. Jamie Long named majority leader and Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura named majority whip. Democrats flipped the chamber in the November 3 election, creating a 77-member DFL majority pending a recount in District 32A.
Why it matters
Democrats' flip of the House ends divided government in Minnesota, giving the DFL control over the chamber's agenda after the House was tied 67-67 following the 2024 election. Stephenson will become the House's 60th speaker when the new majority takes control.
The DFL majority is projected at 77 seats, up from a 67-67 tie after the 2024 election. The count remains subject to a pending recount in District 32A, so the final majority size is not yet confirmed.
The players
Zack Stephenson
Minnesota state representative who has led the House DFL caucus since 2025 and was elected speaker-designate after Democrats won the chamber.
Melissa Hortman
Former Minnesota House speaker whose death in June 2025 led to Stephenson being chosen as caucus leader.
Jamie Long
Minnesota state representative from Minneapolis who was elected House majority leader by the DFL caucus.
Samantha Sencer-Mura
Minnesota state representative from Minneapolis who was elected House majority whip by the DFL caucus.
The details
The caucus chose Stephenson, who has led the House DFL caucus since 2025 and was selected after the death of former Speaker Melissa Hortman. Long and Sencer-Mura were elected to the majority leader and whip posts, and the caucus said Democrats are ready to deliver lower costs, safer communities, a health care system that works, and an economy built for everyone.
Timeline
June 2025: Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were fatally shot.
September 2025: Stephenson was chosen as House DFL caucus leader.
November 3, 2026: Democrats flipped the Minnesota House in the general election.
November 6, 2026: The caucus elected Stephenson as speaker-designate.
Political Context
The DFL flip follows the 67-67 tie produced by the 2024 House election, which left the chamber unable to pass legislation without bipartisan agreement. The new 77-member majority would give Democrats full control of House procedure, committee assignments and the speakership.
Minnesota residents will see the new DFL majority shape House committee assignments and bill priorities once the chamber convenes under Stephenson. Because the final seat count depends on the District 32A recount, the exact margin of control is not yet settled.
The takeaway
Minnesota's House leadership is set to change hands after the November election, and the DFL's 77-seat projection depends on the outcome of the District 32A recount. Residents tracking the chamber's direction should follow the recount and the new majority's first committee decisions.
Further reading
For more on how the state House sets its agenda, see Legislative Policy coverage in Minnesota.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
