Moderates sweep GOP leadership elections in South Dakota state House

From left, Reps. Hugh Bartels, Will Mortenson and Taylor Rehfeldt earned the top three leadership positions in the South Dakota House GOP caucus Saturday morning at the Capitol. (Austin Goss / Dakota News Now)

State Rep. Hugh Bartels will be the next lawmaker to preside over the South Dakota House of Representatives.

The Watertown Republican edged out a three-way field of Republicans who had been gunning to be Speaker of the House. The vote was held Saturday morning in Pierre during GOP House leadership elections for the upcoming legislative term.

Reps. Jon Hansen of Dell Rapids and Jess Olson of Rapid City had also wanted the post.

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