Republicans in the state House of Representatives charted a new course in their leadership elections following a tumultuous four years guided by the party’s more conservative wing.

Moderate Republicans prevailed in the Nov. 19 election, which was done by secret ballot.

Rep. Will Mortenson, 34, will lead the largest majority caucus in the state House since 1973. Mortenson, a rancher/lawyer in Fort Pierre, is the first enrolled tribal member to lead the Republican caucus. 

His assistant will be Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt, a 33-year-old nurse who represents District 14 in Sioux Falls.

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