Newly elected Montana legislators met in party caucuses Nov. 17 in Helena to elect their leadership for the 2011 legislative session.
Republicans, who hold a majority in both chambers, chose Sen. Jim Peterson of Buffalo to serve as president of the Senate, while Rep. Mike Milburn, R-Cascade, was named speaker of the House.
Other officers elected by their caucuses Wednesday were:
HOUSE
Majority Leader: Rep. Tom McGillvray, R-Billings Speaker Pro Tem: Rep. Janna Taylor, R-Dayton Minority Leader: Rep. Jon Sesso, D-Butte Caucus Leader: Rep. Betsy Hands, D-Missoula Republican Whips: Rep. Gerald Bennett, Libby; Rep. Keith Regier, Kalispell; Rep. Cary Smith, Billings; and Rep. Wendy Warburton, Havre Democratic Whips: Rep. Chuck Hunter, Helena; and Rep. Margaret MacDonald, Billings
SENATE
Majority Leader: Sen. Jeff Essmann, R-Billings President Pro Tem: Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, R-Kalispell Minority Leader: Sen. Carol Williams, D-Missoula Republican Whips: Sen. Taylor Brown, Huntley; and Sen. Chas Vincent, Libby Democratic Whip: Sen. Kim Gillan, Billings Committee on Committees: Sens. Joe Balyeat, R-Bozeman; John Brenden, R-Scobey; Dave Lewis, R-Helena; Rick Ripley, R-Wolf Creek; Jim Shockley, R-Victor; and Donald Steinbeisser, R-Sidney
