Dec 04, 2006 - 04:06:09 CST
Associated Press Writer
By DALE WETZELBy DALE WETZEL
Fresh from picking up 13 seats in the North Dakota Legislature, Democratic lawmakers endorsed the floor leaders who helped contribute to their election success.
Sen. David O'Connell, D-Lansford, defeated Fargo Sen. Tim Mathern Sunday night to win his third term as the Senate Democratic leader.
Separately, Rep. Merle Boucher, D-Rolette, was re-elected as the House's Democratic leader without opposition. Boucher has held the minority leader's job for a decade.
"This term is probably the most exciting and the most energized session that I've had an opportunity (to serve in)," Boucher said afterward. "There's just a lot of things going on. There's a lot of fresh ideas ... Any time you bring new faces on board, it's a new level of energy."
The North Dakota Legislature's three-day organizational session begins Monday, when lawmakers typically listen to presentations, jockey for committee assignments, and pick out the desks they will use for the 2007 session. Gov. John Hoeven is scheduled to lay out his budget recommendations Wednesday.
Although Republicans still control both the North Dakota House and Senate, Democrats believe their legislative gains in the Nov. 7 elections will allow them to wield more influence.
"This is a beautiful sight, believe me," O'Connell said Sunday as he addressed a meeting of Senate Democrats. Said Sen. Joel Heitkamp, D-Hankinson: "All the phone-booth jokes are over."
Republicans lost six seats in the Senate, where they hold a 26-21 advantage. In the House, Democrats picked up seven seats, leaving the GOP with a 61-33 majority.
Republicans held their leadership elections last month. They re-elected Rep. Rick Berg, R-Fargo, as the House majority leader, and chose Sen. Bob Stenehjem, R-Bismarck, for another term as Senate majority leader.
Senate Democrats also picked Fargo Sen. Carolyn Nelson as O'Connell's assistant, and elected Ryder Sen. John Warner as caucus chairman. The job entails presiding over meetings of Senate Democrats, and raising funds and providing advice for Senate campaigns.
Rep. Kenton Onstad, D-Parshall, defeated incumbent Rep. Scot Kelsh, D-Fargo, for the job of assistant House Democratic leader, while Rep. Joe Kroeber, D-Jamestown, was re-elected as Democratic House caucus chairman.
Onstad declared two years ago that he would run against Boucher for minority leader, which prompted an angry Boucher to say he no longer wanted the job. Boucher later reconsidered and was re-elected to another term as minority leader.
Boucher and Onstad said the incident would not affect their working relationship.
"In this business ... today is about the future," Boucher said. "Kenton and I, we're big guys, we've been around a long time ... We're used to being in the kitchen, next to the stove, and dealing with the heat. He's that kind of person. I'm that kind of person."
JD wrote on Dec 4, 2006 9:23 AM:
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