Will Mortenson elected to serve as House Majority Leader in SD Legislature

Annie Todd, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
·1 min read
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House Republicans voted on caucus leadership Saturday in Pierre, selecting Rep. Will Mortenson to serve as House Majority Leader and Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt to serve as House Assistant Majority Leader, according to a press release.

Mortenson, 34 from Pierre serving his second term, will also be the first enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to lead the Republican caucus, according to the release.

“I’m honored to get to work for this group of legislators,” said Mortenson. “We’ve got a big job ahead of us, and we look forward to delivering conservative results to the people of South Dakota.”

The House Republican leadership voted on during a Saturday meeting in Pierre. From left to right; Taylor Rehfeldt, Will Mortenson, Hugh Bartels, Mike Stevens (front), Becky Drury, Kirk Chaffee, Rocky Blare (middle), Gary Cammack, JD Wangsness (back)
The House Republican leadership voted on during a Saturday meeting in Pierre. From left to right; Taylor Rehfeldt, Will Mortenson, Hugh Bartels, Mike Stevens (front), Becky Drury, Kirk Chaffee, Rocky Blare (middle), Gary Cammack, JD Wangsness (back)

More:Leadership announced for Senate Democrats and Republicans, as well as House Dems

Rep. Hugh Bartles, 69, from Watertown, was nominated as Speaker of the House, according to the release. Rep. Mike Stevens, 69 from Yankton, was nominated as Speaker Pro Tempore. Their nominations will be voted on during the first day of the 2023 legislative session, scheduled to start Jan. 10.

Also selected Saturday were the five majority whips: Reps. Rocky Blare, Ideal; Gary Cammack, Union Center; Kirk Chaffee, Whitewood; Becky Drury, Rapid City; J.D. Wagnsness, Miller.

Senate Majority and Minority leadership was voted on days after the election. House minority leadership was also chosen at that time.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Here's who will serve in South Dakota House Leadership