Balance of power uncertain as Minnesota Legislature readies for 2025 session
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The balance of power will be uncertain when the Minnesota Legislature returns to the State Capitol next month after the death of a state senator and a court challenge set the stage for special elections when the legislative session is already underway.
Tuesday marked the deadline for candidates to file in Senate District 60, vacated by former DFL Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic who died Friday after a battle with cancer, and House District 40B covering Roseville and Shoreview.
In the latter, a judge barred the winner, DFL candidate Curtis Johnson from taking the oath of office following a court challenge in which the Republican candidate argued Johnson did not live in the district prior to the election, which is required by law in order to serve.
The judge agreed and Johnson said he wouldn't appeal the decision and stepped aside.
Lawmakers will return for the 2025 session on Jan. 14, but the special election will happen on Jan. 28, leaving the balance of power in flux when session begins.
That's because the Senate vacancy means the chamber is tied 33 to 33. In the House, the chamber was headed for a tie of 67 to 67 after voters cast their ballots in November, but the ruling in the election contest for House District 40B gives House Republicans a one-seat majority — at least temporarily.
There's a dispute among both parties about what that power really means, pending the results of the special election. GOP House Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth said the move gives Republicans an organizational majority to elect a speaker and make other decisions about how the chamber operates, while Democrats maintain Republicans are short a key vote to take any action until someone fills that seat.
Both leaders had previously been working on a power-sharing agreement since 68 votes are needed to pass legislation.
There is another court challenge that could further complicate the balance of power: A judge will soon decide the outcome of an election contest for House District 54A in Shakopee, where incumbent DFL Rep. Brad Tabke beat GOP challenger Aaron Paul by 14 votes.
Republicans are seeking a new election because of missing ballots at the center of the case. If a judge agrees, there could be yet another special election in the new year. A decision will come before the first day of session.
Adding yet another layer of uncertainty in the state Senate is DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell's trial for a felony burglary charge scheduled for the end of January. She pleaded not guilty and has repeatedly denied the allegations. Her arrest and subsequent ethics complaints against her by Republicans in the chamber upended the last few weeks of the 2024 session.
What's next for the special election?
As of Tuesday afternoon, which was the filing deadline, several candidates submitted paperwork to run in the special elections for Senate District 60 and House District 40B.
There will be a primary on Jan. 14 to narrow the field ahead of the election on Jan. 28.
Both districts favor Democrats: Dziedzic ran unopposed for her northeast Minneapolis seat in 2022 and Johnson defeated GOP candidate Paul Wikstrom by 31 points in 2024.
Wikstrom filed to run again in the special election, according to records on the Secretary of State's website.
