DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- Hiawatha lawyer Kraig Paulsen has been elected as House minority leader, taking over the top Republican leadership role in the chamber after the GOP suffered its fourth straight loss in this year's election.
Paulsen ousted Minority Leader Chris Rants of Sioux City during a private meeting at the Statehouse.
With a handful of close elections still being settled, Democrats hold a 56-44 margin in the House. That is a gain of three seats if results remain as they are.
Rants had sought another term as floor leader, pointing to his legislative experience and fundraising ability.
Paulsen and other Republican leaders say a fresh face and new approach was needed to turn around the GOP's losing streak in legislative elections.
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