ST. PAUL — Rep. Kurt Daudt shot to the top of the Minnesota House on Friday, chosen by his Republican colleagues to be speaker in just his fifth year in office.

The 41-year-old’s unusually swift ascent comes as the Republicans prepare to assume a 72-62 majority following Tuesday’s election in which the chamber changed party control. The caucus also elected sixth-term Rep. Joyce Peppin to be majority leader.

“I’ve never been somebody that really plans the next step,” Daudt said after his selection. “I just dig in and roll up my sleeves and try to do a good job. I feel like if you do a good job people will raise you up. Maybe that’s what happened with me.”

Because Republicans lack any statewide offices and are in the Senate minority, Daudt instantly becomes one of the highest-profile faces of the party.

Daudt was chosen over former House Majority Leader Matt Dean and sixth-term Rep. Rod Hamilton of Mountain Lake. Dean had emphasized his experience and billed himself as someone committed to standing the party ground; Hamilton was seen as popular among the rural wing of the caucus.