(Colorado Newsline) Colorado Senate Democrats selected Sen. Robert Rodriguez of Denver as the chamber’s new majority leader Friday following the departure of Dominick Moreno.

Moreno left the Senate this month to serve in Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s administration.

The Senate majority leader is in charge of determining who sits on Senate committees and manages the chamber’s calendar. Democrats currently hold 23 of the 35 Senate seats.

“I look forward to elevating your voices and our common goals as a team. Know that I will be here and I will strive to make the goals of the caucus my priority,” Rodriguez said before Friday’s vote, which took place at the Capitol in Denver.

Rodriguez now ranks second in the chamber behind Senate President Steve Fenberg. He was first elected to the Senate in 2018 and won a second term last year.

Sen. Rachel Zenzinger of Arvada was also nominated to serve as majority leader. Next year will be her last in the chamber as she approaches her term limit. Leadership vote counts are not public.

The caucus also elected Sen. Faith Winter of Westminster to serve as assistant majority leader, Rodriguez’s former position. Winter beat out Sen. Rhonda Fields of Aurora for the job.

The Legislature reconvenes in January 2024.

Colorado Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Colorado Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Quentin Young for questions: info@coloradonewsline.com. Follow Colorado Newsline on Facebook and Twitter.