House Dems pick Pelath for post-Bauer era

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - House Democrats have chosen a pair of northern Indiana representatives to lead their rebuilding after their poor showing in Tuesday's elections.

Democratic lawmakers voted Thursday to elect Michigan City Rep. Scott Pelath their new leader and Hammond Rep. Linda Lawson their second-in-command.

Republicans on Tuesday won a super-majority in the House that gives them enough votes to continue business if Democrats walk out like they have under former Minority Leader Patrick Bauer.

House Republicans used the 2011 walkout over right-to-work and teacher pay to great effect in the 2012 races, sending out mailers showing Bauer leading people onto a bus and arguing Democrats refused to do their jobs. House Republicans are bringing back Brian Bosma as speaker and Senate Republicans re-elected Senate President Pro Tem David Long.