House GOP Elects Robin Weisz as Majority Leader
Rep. Robin Weisz of Hurdsfield and Sen. David Hogue of Minot were chosen to lead North Dakota's Republican majorities.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Legislative Policy
House Republicans elected Rep. Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield, as House majority leader Wednesday night, and he ran unopposed. Senate Republicans reelected Sen. David Hogue as Senate majority leader, also unopposed.
Why it matters
Weisz will lead an 80-member Republican caucus in the North Dakota House while continuing as speaker until a new speaker is elected in early December. The leadership changes come as Weisz and Hogue approach the chambers' eight-year term limits.
House Republicans hold 80 of 94 seats and Senate Republicans hold 41 of 47, giving the GOP large majorities in both chambers. Majority and minority leaders receive an extra $20 per calendar day during sessions, and the identity of the next House speaker remains unannounced.
The players
Robin Weisz
Robin Weisz is a Republican state representative from Hurdsfield who has served in the North Dakota House since 1996 and previously owned a grain elevator business for 15 years.
David Hogue
David Hogue is a Republican state senator from Minot who was reelected as Senate majority leader in North Dakota's Legislature.
The details
Weisz, 70, has been speaker of the House for nearly two years and previously chaired the House Human Services Committee for more than a decade. He was first elected in 1996 to represent a large rural district and was the main sponsor of Measure 1, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring 60% voter support to change the state constitution, which voters rejected by about 56%.
Timeline
Wednesday night (Nov. 11, 2026): House Republicans elect their leadership team.
Dec. 1, 2026: Lawmakers take office.
Early December 2026: A new House speaker is elected.
2028: Weisz and Hogue reach the chambers' eight-year term limit.
2031: Most longtime incumbents are expected to be gone.
Political Context
Weisz and Hogue are approaching the eight-year term limit for North Dakota House and Senate lawmakers, which will force both out of their chambers in 2028. Most longtime incumbents are expected to be gone by 2031 under that limit.
The leadership changes determine which lawmakers set the agenda for the next session that begins when new members take office Dec. 1. Residents can expect the GOP-controlled chambers to shape bills in the upcoming session under the new majority leaders.
The takeaway
Leadership turnover in North Dakota's Legislature is accelerating as term limits approach, meaning voters will see many familiar figures leave over the next several years. Following the December speaker vote will show how the next session's priorities take shape.
What happens next
Lawmakers take office Dec. 1, 2026, and the House will elect a new speaker in early December 2026.
Further reading
For more on how lawmakers shape state rules, see Legislative Policy coverage from North Dakota.
