House Democrats made history by electing their new leaders Friday.

The Michigan House Democratic Caucus announced that state Rep. Kwame Kilpatrick of Detroit was elected House minority leader and Rep. Gilda Jacobs of Huntington Woods was elected minority floor leader.

Kilpatrick is the first black to be elected the leader of a House caucus in the history of Michigan’s state Legislature. Jacobs is the first woman to serve as a state caucus floor leader.

State Sen. Robert Emerson was also elected Senate minority floor leader, succeeding Sen. Virgil Smith, D-Detroit, who is leaving to work for the Wayne County prosecutor’s office.

“We are optimistic that we can establish a genuine spirit of bipartisanship in the House,” Jacobs said in a written statement. “We believe the needs and interests of all our citizens are much too important to let partisanship get in the way.”

When Kilpatrick begins his two years as House Democratic leader in January, it will be when 18 black House members begin their two-year terms. That will be the highest number of blacks to ever serve in the Legislature at the same time.

Bill Ballenger, editor of “Inside Michigan Politics,” called Kilpatrick’s election by a majority of the 52 House Democrats “emblematic of the new strength and numbers by African Americans in the Michigan Legislature.”

Both returning Democratic incumbents and representatives elected on Nov. 7 participated in the elections. Kilpatrick and Jacobs will both be sworn in in January.

Kilpatrick will take over the position from state Rep. Mike Hanley, D-Saginaw, who is completing his third two-year term, the most allowed under term limits.

“It’s baby steps for now,” Kilpatrick said. “Michigan Democrats elected Al Gore and Debbie Stabenow, and we didn’t pick up a single seat. We need to look at whether we need to change our message.

“We’ve always been a diverse caucus, but I know there are key issues - we have to distinguish ourselves.”

Emerson, elected to the state Senate in 1998, is serving his first term in the Senate after nine terms in the state House and faces re-election in 2002. Some say he may become Democratic leader in 2003 after many leave the Senate because of term limits.

“I think the position is one where you work with the leader to help achieve the Democratic agenda,” Emerson said. “This year will be a key year. I don’t think things look good from the Democrats’ perspective.

“The Republicans maintained a majority and have control of the governor’s seat.”

Republicans won their first consecutive majority in the House in November’s election since 1960 and 1962, retaining their 58 to 52 majority.

The Republican caucus is scheduled to have its leadership elections next week. House Speaker Chuck Perricone, R-Kalamazoo Township, is also leaving in December because of term limits.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.