The legislature in Minnesota has undergone a radical transformation.  In January, the state House of Representatives will change majority parties for the first time since 1999, and the state Senate will have new leaders for both caucuses.  With that in mind, we’re going to take a look at the new leaders–who they are, and what they’ve done so far.

We’ll start today with the incoming leadership for the House DFL, and in coming days we’ll cover both caucuses and both chambers of the legislature.


Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Speaker-designate of the House of Representatives

District: 60A, Minneapolis
Party: DFL
First Elected: 1998
Previous Positions in Caucus: Minority Leader, Assistant Minority Leader, Minority Whip

Biography: Grew up on a dairy farm…Graduated from Mankato West High, B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus, M.P.A. from Harvard…Worked as a Legislative Staffer for former DFL House Speaker Bob Vanasek and former DFL Senate President Alan Spear …Replaced Rep. Matt Entenza (DFL-St. Paul) as Minority Leader in June of 2006, after the session had completed…Married, husband David, children Peter and Frances.

Political Notes: Was the only member of the Minneapolis legislative delegation to support the Twins’ new stadium…Was considered a potential candidate for the fifth congressional district seat vacated by Rep. Martin Olav Sabo (DFL-MN05)…In 2005 presented comedian and potential 2008 senate candidate Al Franken with the gift of a crock-pot, with the advice, ”Nothing says ‘I care’ quite like wild-rice hot dish for the neighbors.”…Faced Laurie Eibensteiner, the wife of then-GOP chair Ron Eibernsteiner, in her successful 2000 re-election bid…Served as co-author of the bonding bill that financed the new Guthrie theater…Unsuccessfully sponsored bill to exempt books and magazines from state sales tax…Will become second woman to serve as Speaker of the House (Dee Long was the first).


Anthony “Tony” Sertich, Majority Leader-designate of the House of Representatives

District: 5B, Chisholm/Hibbing
Party: DFL
First Elected: 2000
Previous Positions in Caucus: Minority Whip

Biography: Received B.A. in Theatre Arts and Political Science from Hamline…Is the youngest member of the Minnesota Legislature…Served as staffer for Fmr. State Sen. Jerry Janezich (DFL-Chisholm)…Serves on the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.

Political Notes: Served as Chair of the 2000 DFL Freshman Caucus…Voted against legislation fining children under 17 for buying graphic video games, saying “It’s silly we have to legislate parenting around here.”…Sponsored legislation that would allow the state to negotiate discounts on prescription drugs.