House Republicans today selected Rep. Kraig Paulsen to replace Rep. Christopher Rants as minority leader.

Sources confirmed this afternoon that Paulsen will take over the role that Rants has held since 2002, when he was selected as Speaker of the House. In the three elections since, however, Republicans have lost seats, going from a 54-to-46 majority in 2002 to a 56-44 minority in 2008.

House Republicans plan to hold a press conference at 4:30 p.m. to officially announce the change in leadership.