Republican Representative Will Mortenson of Pierre is serving as the House Majority Leader during this year’s (2023) legislative session and Representative Hugh Bartels of Watertown is in the role of Speaker of the House.
While they do work together, Mortenson says each leadership position serves a different purpose.
Mortenson says he and Bartels have a good working relationship.
According to Tony Venhuizen’s “SoDak Governors” blog, Mortenson is the youngest Republican caucus leader in state history. Bartels, however, has several more years of life experience under his belt.
Venhuizen also says Mortenson, a Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe member, is “the first tribal member in state history to serve as majority leader in either house, or to lead a Republican caucus.”
Representative Taylor Rehfeldt of Sioux Falls is the Assistant Majority Leader while Representative Mike Stevens of Yankton is the Speaker Pro Tempore.
Republicans have 63 of the 70 seats in the South Dakota House and 31 of the 35 seats in the state Senate.
Legislator information is available on the LRC website.
Photo credit Legislative Research Council website.
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