Amy Koch issued a surprise announcement that she's stepping down as Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate. Koch's letter to fellow Republicans did not specify a reason, but called the past year challenging, exciting, and exhausting.

The Senate will hold a private caucus just after Christmas to elect Sen. Amy Koch's replacement. The majority leader is the state Senate's most powerful figure.

One assistant majority leader says if the allegations of an inappropriate relationship are true, it will be difficult for Amy Koch to stay in the Senate. Another says he hopes she does stay. Koch resigned her post as Senate Majority Leader last week amid allegations of a relationship with a Senate staffer.

After more than 11 hours of debate at a hotel in Roseville, Minnesota Republicans chose Sen. David Senjem, of Rochester, to represent them as majority leader in the state senate. Senjem will replace Amy Koch, who resigned earlier this month after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with a senate staffer.

WCCO is reporting that four Republican Senators held an emergency meeting with Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch on Wednesday night after learning about possible improper conduct. Koch resigned unexpectedly on Thursday.

Despite her "inappropriate relationship" with a senate staffer, the former Senate majority leader says she may run for re-election. Amy Koch told the Star Tribune she will return to the Capitol on Tuesday when the legislative session convenes. Koch stepped down from her leadership position on December 15.

The Star Tribune takes a look at the behind-the-scenes jockeying leading up to Tuesday's vote, in which Republicans will pick a new Senate majority leader to replace Amy Koch. The election could have huge implications for proposals to put slot machines in race tracks or build a casino in downtown Minneapolis.

City Pages quotes an anonymous Republican senator who says the ousted Senate communications chief created a hostile work environment and that numerous legislators complained about his behavior but then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch refused to take action.