Oregon Public Broadcasting

Now that the public has voted, Oregon lawmakers are electing their own leaders.  The biggest change will be in the House, where Democrats will elect a new Speaker this weekend.  Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

They also work to make sure rank and file members vote in lockstep on key issues.  Democrats hold the majority in the House and Senate, so that means they also get to elect the head of each chamber.  

In the Senate, Peter Courtney of Salem will serve a fourth term as President.  But someone new will hold the gavel in the House.  That’s because last session’s House Speaker, Jeff Merkley just got elected to the U-S Senate.  

A spokesman for the House Democrats wouldn’t talk on tape, but it’s likely that current Majority Leader Dave Hunt will be elected House Speaker when Democrats meet this weekend.  

House Republicans re-elected Bruce Hanna of Roseburg as Minority Leader.  He’ll have a challenging job in front of him.  His party lost at least five seats during Tuesday’s election.