ST. PAUL -- A pair of urban Democrats will lead the House and Senate when the Legislature convenes next year, causing some lawmakers to fear rural Minnesota will be ignored.
Larry Pogemiller of Minneapolis was elected Senate majority leader on Thursday and Margaret Anderson Kelliher, who represents another Minneapolis district, was chosen speaker of the House.
Majority leader is the top Senate position and speaker is the most powerful post in the House. They determine what legislation gets considered, which lawmakers lead committees and the overall direction of their chamber.
Steve Dille of Dassel, who is one of 23 Senate Republicans, said the selections present "some reason for concern" outside the Twin Cities.
"It does sound like things are getting more concentrated in the metro area, that's for sure," said Dille, a farmer and expert on agricultural issues.
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Rep. Marty Seifert, a Marshall Republican who is seeking the House minority leader post, said suburban and rural voters will be upset by the Democrats' vision.
"I think people were looking for balance and compromise and moderation, and they're getting inner-city liberalism," Seifert said.
Kelliher said her "farm-girl sensibilities" will influence her control of the House. She was raised on a Mankato-area dairy farm, and said she leads a caucus whose members are from big cities, suburbs and rural areas.
Rep. Tony Sertich of Chisholm was selected House majority leader, giving the Iron Range one legislative leader for the upcoming session. As second in command, he will direct House Democrats during voting. Sertich also said he will help push other Democrats' proposals on education, health care and other top issues.
"A leader must lead, but they also must lead by listening," Sertich said.
Pogemiller and Kelliher will succeed two rural legislative leaders: Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum of Kenyon and Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson of Willmar.
Johnson was defeated in Tuesday's election. Sviggum was re-elected but said he won't run for House minority leader when the GOP caucus meets next week. Senate Republicans were expected to meet today to pick their leader. Dick Day, the current Senate minority leader, is being challenged by at least three other caucus members.
Democrats also selected Sen. Tarryl Clark of St. Cloud as assistant Senate majority leader. Clark, who was elected in a 2005 special election, is among 18 female Senate Democrats.
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"We are becoming much more female-dominated in the Senate," Pogemiller said at a press conference. "This is a good thing. I think it will help us move away from some of the rancor of the last few years."
