On Saturday Rep. Matt Dean was elected House majority leader by his GOP colleagues. The four-term legislator from Dellwood earned the leadership post after leading his caucus's successful election effort. Republicans picked up 25 seats and will have a 72-62 seat majority when the Legislature convenes in January.

Rep. Kurt Zellers was elected Speaker of the House by the GOP caucus on Saturday morning. The five-term Maple Grove legislator will lead what's expected to be a 72-62 seat GOP majority after Republicans picked up 25 seats in this week's elections.

Few political prognosticators believed the Republicans had much chance of winning majorities in both the state House and Senate. But when the electoral smoke cleared early Wednesday morning that's exactly what had occurred. The GOP established a 37-30 majority in the Senate and a 72-62 hold on the House (barring any changes via mandated recounts).

The race in House District 12B is one of the most vigorously contested in the state. Two years ago incumbent DFLer Al Doty won re-election by just 76 votes -- the slimmest margin in the state. Now he faces a rematch against Republican Mike LeMieur.

Sanu Patel-Zellinger is on her third round of door-knocking practically every home in House District 40B. The GOP challenger estimates that her campaign has made contact with nearly 90 percent of residents in the south Bloomington district.

In a nine candidate primary field, it's tough to distinguish yourself. But Chai Lee, who works in St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman's office, is doing his best in the Senate District 67 contest.

In three campaigns, state Rep. Larry Haws, DFL-St. Cloud, has never received less than 65 percent of the vote. That electoral dominance would suggest that Democrats should be able to hold on to House District 15B despite Haws' retirement.

Republicans are slated to squared off in a handful of competitive state legislative primary contests on August 10. In most instances, the GOP rivals are vying to take on a DFL incumbent in districts that look winnable.

TakeAction Minnesota's endorsement contest in Senate District 67 was expected to be tight with nine candidates vying for the group's backing. But Vang Lor swamped the field on the first ballot, garnering 84 percent of the votes cast on Saturday.

Joe Fricke has won the DFL endorsement to replace retiring state Sen. Steve Murphy. The 28-year-old attorney easily defeated Bruce Montplaisir, superintendent of the Lewiston-Altura school district, at Saturday's party convention. Fricked received 41 votes, compared to 7 for his DFL rival.