zellersRep. Kurt Zellers is Minnesota’s new House Minority Leader. The four-term legislator from Maple Grove defeated Rep. Randy Demmers, of Hayfield, by a 32-13 margin on the fourth ballot at Tuesday’s GOP caucus meeting.

Zellers replaces Rep. Marty Seifert, who took over the post in 2006. Seifert is stepping down in order to explore a run for governor.

Republicans controlled the House from 1999 to 2006, but have lost seats in each of the last three election cycles. Democrats currently hold a 87-47 majority.