ROSEVILLE, Minn. — The Minnesota House of Representatives will kick off the new year with a temporary Republican majority after a Democrat opted not to appeal a court ruling regarding residency issues tied to his elected district. This development grants Republicans a narrow lead of 67-66 when the legislative session commences on January 14. However, this majority may be short-lived, as Governor Tim Walz has scheduled a special election for January 28 in a district that leans Democratic, having previously favored Curtis Johnson by a significant margin of 30 points in the November elections.
In his resignation letter, Johnson expressed his disagreement with the court’s conclusions but acknowledged the inevitability of the situation. He stated, “While I disagree with the conclusions reached by the District Court, I recognize that whatever the decision on appeal, the ultimate decision belongs to the Legislature, where it appears there is no viable pathway for me being allowed to retain my seat. Rather than dragging this out further, I have decided to resign now, so that a special election can be held as soon as possible.”
The Ramsey County Judge, Leonardo Castro, ruled that Johnson had failed to establish his residency in the Roseville district for the mandatory six-month period prior to the election, rendering him ineligible for office. Johnson’s opponent, Paul Wikstrom, presented evidence including surveillance footage and photographs to demonstrate that Johnson did not reside at the listed address. Reports indicated that the absence of utility services and limited activity at the apartment further supported this claim.
Lisa Demuth, the Republican representative poised to take over as House Speaker, welcomed the judge’s verdict. She mentioned that the ruling affirms Republican organizational control from the outset, highlighting the need for a valid candidate to represent District 40B in the upcoming session. Demuth’s comments come in light of earlier discussions between both parties about a potential power-sharing arrangement, given the anticipated division in the House.
While Democrats assert that a Republican majority requires at least 68 seats to effectively control the House and pass legislation, the GOP will still maintain operational control over committees, which allows them to move bills forward. This maneuvering could put pressure on Democrats from competitive districts regarding contentious legislation. Furthermore, Republicans might pursue long-sought investigations into issues within the Walz administration, particularly those related to fraud.
In the Senate, the landscape has shifted as well. Once expected to give Democrats a narrow lead, the chamber is now split evenly at 33-33 following the death of former Majority Leader Sen. Kari Dziedzic, who succumbed to cancer. A special election for her Minneapolis district is on the horizon, although a date has not yet been established.
Demuth raised concerns about the speed at which Governor Walz called for the special election, questioning whether it was appropriate before the Legislature formalizes the vacancy. If this argument holds up, it could extend the Republicans’ influence over the House. Nonetheless, officials from the secretary of state’s office assured that Walz’s directive for the special election is legitimate.
When the election ultimately occurs, Democrats remain optimistic about their chances of reclaiming the seat. Rep. Melissa Hortman, the current House Speaker, reiterated confidence in the district, stating, “A prompt special election will allow the voters of District 40B to ensure that they will be represented in the Minnesota House for the bulk of the session. We expect the district will again vote to elect a Democrat by overwhelming margins.”
The balance of power within the House might also be influenced by an ongoing court case concerning another suburban district; however, it seems the Democrats are likely to prevail in that situation. Democratic Rep. Brad Tabke from Shakopee was confirmed as the election winner by a margin of just 14 votes over Republican contender Aaron Paul, despite the presence of 20 uncounted ballots that had been discarded. During a hearing, attorneys presented testimonies from six voters who confirmed their support for Tabke, an assertion sufficient to uphold his narrow victory. A decision from the judge on the next steps in this case is anticipated in the coming weeks.
