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Erin Murphy to serve as next Senate majority leader [1]
['Michelle Griffith', 'More From Author', '- February']
Date: 2024-02
Sen. Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, was elected as Minnesota’s next Senate majority leader during a closed-door meeting with her Democratic colleagues.
During a 90-second news conference on Tuesday, she took no questions from the media. Murphy said the Senate DFL caucus had “a good discussion” during their Tuesday annual retreat — where the lawmakers normally discuss their legislative priorities — and she’s honored to serve as the next Senate majority leader.
“We are committed — together, 34 members — to make sure that we are working to improve the lives of Minnesotans,” Murphy said.
Murphy will need to wrangle an ideologically diverse caucus, though the to-do list this year is relatively light following the momentous 2023 legislative session. She also won’t have to worry about the November election, as senators aren’t on the ballot until 2026.
Murphy’s ascension as leader comes days after Sen. Kari Dziedzic, DFL-Minneapolis, announced her intention to step down as leader because the cancer she battled last year has returned.
Dziedzic, who was not present at Tuesday’s press conference, said in a statement last week that she’s “facing some serious challenges” because of her recent cancer recurrence. Dziedzic will continue representing her northeast Minneapolis district.
Murphy ran for governor in 2018 — when she won the DFL endorsement over now-Gov. Tim Walz — but lost in the primary. She served as House majority leader in 2013 and 2014.
On Tuesday, Murphy praised Dziedzic for her ability last year to unite the Senate DFL’s 34-33 majority.
“She showed us that if we choose to stick together and act together, we can do important things for the people of Minnesota to improve their lives,” Murphy said.
Murphy, originally from Wisconsin, is a registered nurse and was executive director of the nurses’ union. She was also legislative director for former Attorney General Skip Humphrey in the late 90s, before her election to the Minnesota House in 2006 and the Senate in 2020.
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