Ortman to serve as deputy Minnesota Senate leader

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Republican state Sen. Julianne Ortman will serve as deputy leader of the Minnesota Senate.

New Majority Leader Dave Senjem announced Tuesday that he picked Ortman as his second-in-command. That follows a leadership shakeup in the wake of Sen. Amy Koch’s surprise resignation as majority leader last month. Koch admitted to an inappropriate relationship with a Senate employee.

Ortman replaces Sen. Geoff Michel as deputy leader. Michel faced criticism for his handling of the allegations against Koch.

Ortman, an attorney from Chanhassen, has represented her Carver County-area district since 2002. She currently chairs the influential Senate Taxes Committee; a spokesman says it’s not immediately certain if Ortman will stay in that job as well.

Senjem also appointed Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen of Alexandria to serve as an assistant majority leader.