A first-term Colorado Springs Republican and former Mesa County commissioner was chosen by her colleagues to be the next leader of the House minority caucus Thursday morning. 

Rep. Rose Pugliese had previously served as the assistant minority leader under Rep. Mike Lynch of Wellington, who resigned Wednedsay over revelations of him being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in 2022. 

“It’s really important to me that we have a strong caucus so that we get out of the super minority and restore balance in this state,” Pugliese said in a speech before voting.

Republicans have very limited political power at the Capitol, with diminished minorities in both chambers.

Pugliese won after two rounds of voting, ultimately receiving 11 votes from the 19-member caucus. Reps. Ken DeGraaf and Matt Soper were also nominated for the position. Soper, who represents parts of the Western Slope, and Pugliese advanced to the final round of voting.

Lynch stepped down one week after The Denver Post reported his arrest for DUI and carrying a gun while intoxicated. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while impaired and was sentenced to 18 months of probation with monitored sobriety and 150 hours of community service.

After the arrest became public, Lynch faced mounting pressure to step down from his leadership position, but for several days, he attempted to hold on to the role. Lynch is also running to represent Colorado’s 4th Congressional District. 

Lynch had served as House minority leader since November 2022. When he was elected to the position by his Republican colleagues, Lynch didn’t disclose his arrest, which had occurred a month earlier. 

Lynch narrowly survived a vote of no confidence Monday when nine members of his caucus voted to remove him and nine, including Lynch, voted to retain him. The next day, a few far-right members of the caucus again attempted to oust him and threatened to keep trying until he resigned.

Pugliese was elected to the House in 2022, her current term ends in 2025. 

The caucus is set to replace Pugliese as assistant minority leader Friday morning.