The Senate Democratic Caucus met today and elected Sen. Kate Kelly, D-Boise, as minority leader, Sen. Elliot Werk, D-Boise, as assistant minority leader and Sen. Les Bock, D-Boise, as minority caucus chair. Kelly had been serving as acting minority leader while Minority Leader Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum, was out for treatment for brain surgery. He recently announced that he won't be back this session; former Sun Valley Mayor Jon Thorson is substituting for him. "When Clint returns, we will revisit the issue," Kelly said. "We wish Clint was here, and we want him to be our minority leader. When Clint comes back, we want to embrace him again as our minority leader." She added, "It was not an easy decision. He's been minority leader for 11 years." Caucus members hope Stennett can return as soon as possible, Kelly said. "But meanwhile, we needed a team in place - that's what the caucus decided."

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