ST. PAUL (AP) — State Senate Republicans are picking a majority leader for the first time since the early 1970s.

The Senate GOP caucus meets privately at the Capitol Friday to organize as the majority after 38 years in the minority.

Three senators have been mentioned as the possible majority leader — current caucus leader Dave Senjem of Rochester, Amy Koch of Buffalo and David Hann of Eden Prairie.

Republicans snatched 16 seats from Democrats in Tuesday’s election. The GOP Senate takeover puts both legislative chambers under Republican control for the first time since 1972.

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