House Majority Leader Dave Hunt (D-Clackamas) was elected to be the next Speaker of the House on Saturday when House Democrats met to decide their leadership for the 2009 session.

Hunt will replace current House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Portland), who won election to the U.S. Senate on Thursday after defeating U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton).

“I am honored to be my colleagues’ choice to be Oregon’s next House Speaker,” said Hunt, who was first elected to the House in 2002.  “Our job in the 2009 session is to strengthen our economy and protect the gains we made in 2007-08 in education, health care, public safety, renewable energy, infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility.  Our focus will be on helping Oregon families make it through these tough times and I am pleased to have such a strong group of colleagues by my side.”

Rep. Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay) will be Speaker Pro Tem, replacing outgoing Rep. Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), who won election to the State Senate on Tuesday to take over for outgoing State Sen. Kate Brown (D-Portland), who was elected Secretary of State.

Rep. Mary Nolan (D-Portland) will step into Hunt’s shoes as the next House Majority Leader.

“This is a diverse and talented group of people who have been charged by the voters of Oregon to take on our economic challenges and move us to a better future,” Nolan said. “House Democrats are ready to lead all of Oregon forward.”

Rep. Peter Buckley (D-Ashland) will hold onto the Majority Whip position, and will be aided by Rep. Tina Kotek (D-Portland), who is replacing Roblan as Deputy Majority Whip. Rep. Tobias Reed (D-Beaverton) will also serve as Assistant Majority Whip.

Rep. Sara Gelser (D-Corvallis) will once again serve as Assistant Majority Leader regarding policy, and Rep. Phil Barnhart (D-Central Lane and Linn counties) will also maintain his position as Assistant Majority Leader regarding politics.

House Democrats will have a super-majority status in the 2009 legislature after they picked up five more house seats in the election on Tuesday.