Legislators select House, Senate leaders

Members of the Republican caucuses in the House and Senate have selected their 2017 legislative leadership, and it will look very similar to last year. In the Senate, where Republicans gained the majority during the election, Sen. Bill Dix (R-Shell Rock) was selected as majority leader and Jack Whitver (R-Ankeny) as Senate president. Sen. Jerry Behn (R-Boone) will serve as president pro-tem and Sen. Charles Schneider (R-West Des Moines) will serve as majority whip. The full list of leaders can be found here.

In the House, Speaker of the House Linda Upmeyer (R-Clear Lake) and Majority Leader Chris Hagenow (R-Windsor Heights) retain their leadership posts. Also returning to leadership is President Pro-tem Matt Windschitl (R-Missouri Valley). Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Bondurant) joins the leadership team as House majority whip. For the full list of House leaders click here. House Democrats met last week and selected Rep. Mark Smith (D-Marshalltown) to continue to lead the caucus. Click here to see other House Democrat leaders. Senate Democrats have not yet selected a new leadership team.

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