Minnesota House elects Patrick D. Murphy chief clerk, names Lori Hodap chief sergeant at arms

The Minnesota House of Representatives on Jan. 14 elected Patrick Duffy Murphy as chief clerk and Lori Hodap as chief sergeant at arms and approved a slate of other House officers, clearing formal steps for the 94th regular session to begin.

Lawmakers cast a roll-call vote for chief clerk Patrick D. Murphy, with the chief clerk declared elected after “there being 67 ayes and 0 nays.” Representative Cresha (District 10A) nominated Murphy; Representative Nadeau seconded the nomination. Murphy was then sworn into office.

The election of other front-desk officers was carried by a slate motion offered by Representative Niska and approved by the chamber. The House also elected Lori Hodap as chief sergeant at arms after a roll-call vote that produced the same recorded outcome given for the chief clerk: 67 ayes and 0 nays. Representative Nash nominated Hodap; Representative Witty seconded the nomination.

Why it matters: electing officers and adopting organizing resolutions formally constitute the House’s internal organization and allow it to receive messages from the governor and the senate and to proceed with committee…