Republican state Rep. Donald Bratton of Hobbs was picked as minority leader of the New Mexico House of Representatives.
The Albuquerque Journal reports (http://bit.ly/UZuJHx) that Bratton will replace Tom Taylor of Farmington as the top-ranking Republican in the Democratic-controlled House.
House Republicans also elected several members of the party's younger guard to top-ranking positions.
Rep. Nate Gentry of Albuquerque will serve as the new House GOP whip, while Rep. Alonzo Baldonado will be the Republican caucus chairman.
The leadership posts were filled during a closed-door caucus meeting held Monday night in Albuquerque.