Minnesota Report
After multiple rounds of voting, Rep Zack Stephenson (DFL–35A, Coon Rapids) has been elected to lead the DFL House Caucus. Whether he will serve as House Minority Leader or co-lead the chamber alongside Rep Harry Niska (R–31A, Ramsey) remains to be determined — a question that now rests in the hands of voters in the late Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman’s former district, HD 34B.
A special election for the pivotal seat will be held on November 4th, and the outcome could shift the balance of power in the Minnesota House. The race features Xp Lee, a state employee and current Brooklyn Park City Council member running as the DFL candidate, and Ruth Bittner, a Republican real estate agent also based in Brooklyn Park.
Stephenson, a lawyer by training, is widely regarded as a skilled legislative strategist. A close confidant of Hortman, he played a central role in advancing key policy priorities during her tenure — most notably leading the effort to legalize adult-use cannabis in Minnesota. His election signals both continuity and competence within the DFL ranks.
One particular aspect of his leadership we applaud is his intention to continue Hortman’s suburban-forward strategy, a cornerstone of DFL prior legislative success and an approach we have long supported. Now, in an increasingly polarized political landscape, strong suburban leadership rooted in pragmatism and policy discipline remains essential for effective governance in Minnesota.