Rep. Zellers elected minority leader

PRESS RELEASE
ZELLERS ELECTED MINNESOTA HOUSE MINORITY LEADER

ST. PAUL, June 23, 2009 – The Minnesota House Republican Caucus on
Monday elected State Representative Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, to be
the next House Minority Leader effective immediately.  Zellers replaces
former State Representative Marty Seifert, R-Marshall. 

“Our caucus will continue to be the peoples’ advocate for a
government that spends responsibly, sets priorities and keeps a lid on
taxes.  That means more than just sitting back and saying no every time
Democrats propose a new tax increase.  We will offer new solutions and
new ideas, all with a continued respect for the taxpayers’ hard-earned
dollars.

“Our constituents sent us here to play a part in finding solutions,
they don’t want to see another legislative session like the one that
just finished.  We will keep offering ideas for reform that we believe
chart the best course to an economic recovery, and we’ll work with
willing Democrats to get things done.”

Zellers is in his fourth term in the Minnesota House, having first been
elected in a 2003 special election, and won re-election in 2004, 2006
and 2008.  He represents House District 32B in the northwest Twin Cities
metro area, including the city of Osseo and part of Maple Grove.
Zellers and his wife, Kim, have two children, son Will, age 4, and
daughter Reagan, age 5. 

Zellers Bio & Background
Born: Devils Lake, North Dakota, 1969
First elected: 2003 special election (replacing Rich Stanek)
Re-elected: 2004, 2006, 2006
District: 32B, Osseo and part of Maple Grove in Hennepin County,
northwest metro area
Family: Wife, Kim (teacher); Two children, son Will (3) and daughter Reagan (4)
Education: University of North Dakota, Political Science
Prior to serving in the Minnesota House: field staff for former Senator
Rod Grams in 1994; Became Grams’ communications director after the election
Worked on former Senator Norm Coleman’s 2002 campaign
Former House Republican Caucus communications director
Committees: Commerce and Labor; Labor and Consumer Protection Division;
Taxes; Transportation and Transit Policy and Oversight Division