Senate Republicans at the state Capitol on Thursday unanimously chose Assistant Minority Leader Sen. Cleave Simpson of Alamosa as their next minority leader.

Simpson succeeded Sen. Paul Lundeen of Monument, who resigned last week to take a position with the American Excellence Foundation.

Simpson was reelected to his second term for the Senate District 6 seat last November. He is the first Western Slope Republican to lead the GOP caucus since Sen. Josh Penry of Grand Junction in 2009-10.

Sen. Lisa Frizell of Castle Rock, meanwhile, succeeded Simpson as assistant minority leader.

The other leadership positions within the caucus are unchanged. Sen. Byron Pelton of Sterling remains as caucus chair; Sen. Janice Rich of Grand Junction continues as minority whip.

In a statement Thursday, Simpson said he is honored by his colleagues’ trust and thanked Lundeen for his “steadfast leadership and principled service to this caucus and to the people of Colorado. His guidance has strengthened our team and helped lay the foundation for the work ahead.”

Coloradans face real challenges, Simpson said.

“Rising costs, public safety concerns, and a growing sense that their voices aren’t being heard at the Capitol. During this interim and going into next year’s session, this caucus will remain committed to standing up for hardworking families and offering real, common-sense solutions,” he said. “I’m proud to lead this dedicated team as we fight for a stronger, safer, and more affordable Colorado.”

Frizell added: “It’s time for our caucus to begin a new chapter, and I believe that by working together and with intention, our future is a bright one.”

Republicans hold 11 seats in the state Senate to Democrats’ 23 seats. Lundeen’s unexpired term, through January 2027, will be filled by a GOP vacancy committee for Senate District 9, although the El Paso County Republican Party has not yet announced the date for that election.

Once that vacancy is filled, there will be 23 members of the General Assembly who obtained their seats through vacancy elections.