Kent Defeats Bakk To Become Leader of DFL Senate Caucus In Minnesota
The 32-member caucus is signaling a shift in direction for the party

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota state Sen. Susan Kent defeated longtime Sen. Tom Bakk in an election for the leadership of the DFL Senate caucus.
The two-term member from Woodbury was elected Senate DFL Minority Leader on Saturday, toppling the longtime Iron Range leader to become the first woman ever to lead the caucus.
The 32-member caucus is signaling a shift in direction for the party less than two weeks before the legislative session convenes.
Senators debated the leadership change for nearly six hours in a closed-door meeting.
Neither Kent nor Bakk took questions after the vote but Kent called it her “privilege” to be the new leader.