Minnesota House Democrats选出Zack Stephenson为新议长 | 明尼苏达州议员更迭

On March 15 2025, Minnesota House Democrats chose Zack Stephenson as the new House Leader following the tragic assassination of former Speaker Melissa Hortman. This decision comes amid heightened security concerns and a pressing need for stable leadership as the legislature faces a special session on upcoming budget reforms.

Stephenson, a long‑time member of the House representing District 52, was elected by his caucus with 20 votes to 15, reflecting both his seniority and his reputation for coalition building. He will serve as the House Leader until the next regular election cycle.

Hortman's death on January 9 2025 was the first political assassination in Minnesota since the 1980s. The House had been operating under interim leadership, and the abrupt vacancy created uncertainty over the passage of key bills, including the 2025‑26 fiscal plan.

The special legislative session, slated to begin in May, will focus on reallocating state funds for education and healthcare, and revising the minimum‑wage policy, a topic that has seen increasing public debate in recent years.

For immigrant communities, Stephenson’s leadership could influence state immigration policy, especially regarding refugee resettlement and language‑access programs. Immigrants will closely monitor his stance on housing affordability and workforce development, which are critical to their integration and economic stability.

The appointment signals a desire for continuity amid crisis, but it also presents an opportunity for the House to address pressing issues that directly affect Minnesotans, particularly the immigrant population that constitutes about 5% of the state's residents.