LAS VEGAS -- Sen. Steven Horsford of Las Vegas has been selected to replace Sen. Dina Titus as Democratic caucus leader in the Nevada Senate.

Senate Democrats reached the unanimous decision after a three-hour discussion Friday in Las Vegas. The move was made necessary with longtime minority leader Titus' decision to run for Congress.

Horsford, who graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in political science, joined the Senate in 2004.

Horsford's challenge will be to bring Democrats into the majority in the 21-member Senate, a position they have not held since 1991. Republicans hold an 11-10 edge in the upper house.

Titus, who joined the state Senate in 1989, had served as minority leader since 1993.

The position became vacant with her announcement that she is running for the 3rd Congressional District seat held by Republican Rep. Jon Porter.