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Republicans serving in the incoming State Senate caucused today and chose the Senate’s leadership for the upcoming 2023 legislative session.

Senate Republicans elected Sen. Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, to serve as the next President of the Senate. Ellsworth was the Senate President Pro Tempore during the 2021 legislative session.

“It’s an honor to serve as the next President of the Senate,” Ellsworth said. “I look forward to working with senators on passing a conservative balanced budget, providing financial relief and lower taxes to Montanans, enacting red tape relief, and preserving the Montana way of life for future generations. I’m excited to get to work.”

Republican senators elected Sen. Ken Bogner, R-Miles City, as the next Senate President Pro Tempore. Bogner is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"I'm honored by the support of my fellow senators and I look forward to accomplishing our conservative agenda that the people of Montana overwhelmingly supported on Election Day,” Bogner said. “We will work hard to make Montana the most free and fiscally responsible state in this great republic."

Senate Republicans chose Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls, as their Majority Leader. Fitzpatrick was formerly the chairman of the Senate Business and Labor Committee.

"It is a tremendous honor to be elected as Majority Leader of the Montana Senate,” Fitzpatrick said. “I am looking forward to getting to work for the people of Montana in the 2023 legislative session."

Republican senators also chose Sens. Tom McGillvray, Steve Hinebauch, Dennis Lenz, and Barry Usher as Majority Whips and elected senators to serve on the Committee on Committees, the Senate body charged with making committee assignments.

Legislators of both parties and both chambers will continue meeting at the State Capitol for the rest of this week to iron out committee assignments, participate in legislator orientation, and prepare for the upcoming legislative session.

The 68th Montana Legislature will be sworn in on January 2, 2023.