State Rep. Jenifer Loon of Eden Prairie will be the deputy minority leader in the state House, says Minority Leader Kurt Daudt.

Loon, who will be starting her third term, had been a member of the House Republican Caucus Executive Board and chaired the Steering Committee, when Republicans controlled the House the past two years.

Loon, setting the stage for a battle with Gov. Mark Dayton and state DFLers who now control both houses of the Legislature, said in a statement:

"I look forward to working with [Daudt] over the next two years as we put forward a positive agenda and show Minnesotans that government reform and efficiency are better alternatives than the tax increases likely coming from Governor Dayton and the DFL legislature that will stifle small business job growth and hurt Minnesota families."

Daudt said the rest of the GOP House leadership team will be elected by caucus members on Dec. 12.