Ruling in Minn. election could give GOP slim House majority to start
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A Minnesota judge has ruled that a recently elected DFL legislator failed to meet residency requirements to run and serve in a Roseville-area seat and is ineligible to take office next month.
Why it matters: If the ruling holds, it will deliver temporary control of the tied Minnesota House to Republicans when the Legislature gavels in on Jan. 14.
State of play: House DFL and GOP leaders have been negotiating a power-sharing agreement in anticipation of a rare 67-67 split in the chamber.
- Democrats, who had full control of the Capitol for the last two years, maintained a one-vote Senate majority in the November election.
Between the lines: While a 67-66 majority would allow Republicans to elect a speaker, as MPR News recently noted, their advantage would fall just short of the 68-vote threshold needed to pass bills.
Catch up fast: Paul Wikstrom, the GOP nominee in House District 40B, filed a lawsuit last month alleging that DFL Rep.-elect Curtis Johnson didn't actually live in the studio he claimed as his residence in order to run.
- Johnson acknowledged that his family continued to live in a home outside the district, but said he did reside in the apartment for the period required by state law.
What happened: Ramsey County Judge Leonardo Castro sided with Wikstrom in an order issued Friday, ruling that Johnson "is enjoined from taking the oath of office and from acting as a member" of the House.
- He called Johnson's failure to maintain residency in the district a "deliberate, serious, and material violation of Minnesota election law."
What they're saying: Republican Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth, who is poised to become speaker if the GOP starts the session with a majority, applauded the outcome, calling it "a clear reminder that laws matter, and integrity in the election process is non-negotiable."
- DFL Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman said the court "erred as a matter of law in not dismissing this case," arguing that residency challenges should come before an election.
- She said Democrats will appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court.
What's next: If Castro's ruling holds, a special election would be needed to fill the vacant Roseville-area seat, which Johnson won with over 60% of the vote.
What we're watching: A separate election challenge in a narrowly decided Shakopee seat over 20 missing absentee ballots is still pending.
This story has been updated with comments from legislative Democrats.