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Minn. Democrats Pick New Party Leader

COKATO, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party has elected a veteran operative as its new leader.

Ken Martin ran unopposed at Saturday's meeting of the DFL State Central Committee in Cokato. Martin replaces DFL Party Chairman Brian Melendez, who passed on another two-year term.

Martin has worked behind the scenes in state and presidential politics for years.

In 2010, Democrats swept all of the statewide offices, including their first win for governor in 25 years. But they lost both chambers of the Legislature despite huge financial and numerical advantages heading into the election.

Republicans plan to elect their party leaders this spring, with current Chairman Tony Sutton seeking another term.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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