AUGUSTA – Senate Republicans elected leaders Tuesday, choosing state Sen. Carol Weston of Montville to head their caucus.

Weston, assistant minority leader for the past two years, defeated Sen. Richard Nass of Acton. She replaces Sen. Paul Davis of Sangerville, who was termed out.

Republicans elected Sen. Richard Rosen as assistant minority leader.

The pair won their posts with help from the party’s centrist wing, and with promises of effective leadership and improved communication.

Weston’s political philosophy is generally consistent with the GOP’s more conservative members, but she fell into disfavor with that branch of the party two years ago when she backed a moderate in leadership elections.

Her nomination was seconded by Sen. Peter Mills, a moderate and unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate. Mills of Skowhegan is one of the party’s more left-leaning members.

“The 17 of us have a very special dual mission,” Mills said in nominating Weston. “One, we have to rebuild our party, and that starts with this repository of strength in the state Senate.”

“The second challenge is the one we have in the state of Maine,” Mills said. “The state is in dire trouble.”

Mills then echoed a familiar campaign theme: State spending is outpacing the state’s ability to pay even with too-high taxes.

Weston said she would focus on improving staff effectiveness and forming policy groups to help members better understand important issues.

Weston also said she would press Democratic leaders for a change in Senate rules to give Republicans a greater share of power and more representation on committees, given the 18-17 split between the parties.

The vote for leader was done by secret ballot.

Rosen ran unopposed for assistant minority leader after state Sen. Jonathan Courtney of Springvale withdrew from the race.

“One of the most important things you need to know as assistant leader is how to count votes. And I can count votes,” Courtney said. “There’s a real divide in philosophy in this caucus,” he added. “We need to bridge those divides.”

Sen. David Hastings of Fryeburg nominated Rosen, emphasizing his strong communications skills and ability to effectively articulate Republican ideas.

Senate Republicans, Hastings said, moved toward the middle with their leadership selections.

“But I don’t think that we are that far apart,” Hastings said. “The core values are very similar. The perception that there’s a conservative wing and a liberal wing, a moderate wing is overblown.”

State Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello of Poland said she supported Weston, mostly based on her management style.

“I don’t think it was a matter of moving to the right, to the left or to the middle,” Snowe-Mello said. “There are many philosophies within the Republican Party that have to be respected. We have to work together.”

House Democrats pick their leaders today; Senate Democrats follow on Sunday.

House Republicans, in the only election not open to the public, will vote on new leaders Monday.

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