Daudt, Dean Angle For Top Job In House

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — There will be competition among Republicans for who leads the party's new House majority.

Minority Leader Kurt Daudt of Crown and former Majority Leader Matt Dean of Dellwood both say they're running to be House speaker when the Legislature returns to action. They are asking for support from the 72-member caucus, which meets Friday to pick its leadership.

Traditionally, minority leaders who shepherd their caucus to the majority rise to the speaker post without a fight. But Dean told members in a letter that he has the experience to help the caucus go toe-to-toe with Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and the head of the Democratic-led Senate.

Dean was majority leader for two years when Republicans were last in charge.

At least two GOP lawmakers, Tara Mack of Apple Valley and Joyce Peppin of Rogers, are angling to be second-in-command.