GOP Has Temporary Control Of What?
As the new year begins, Republicans in Minnesota are set to take control of the state House of Representatives, albeit with a slim majority. This comes after a judge ruled that Democrat Curtis Johnson did not meet the residency requirements for the district he was elected to represent. Johnson, who had been elected to represent a suburban district, resigned after a court found that he failed to live in the district for the required six months prior to the election.
This ruling gives Republicans a temporary 67-66 majority when the Legislature convenes on January 14. However, this majority may be short-lived, as Governor Tim Walz has scheduled a special election for January 28 in Johnson’s district—a Democrat-leaning area that Johnson won by a wide margin in November.
In his resignation letter, Johnson acknowledged the court’s decision and recognized that further legal action would be unlikely to allow him to retain his seat. Instead of prolonging the legal battle, he opted to step down, paving the way for a special election that will allow voters in District 40B to choose a new representative. His resignation and the ensuing special election present an opportunity for Republicans to strengthen their hold on the House, though the seat is expected to return to Democrat control.
Despite the potential loss of this district, Republicans are positioned to exert considerable influence in the coming legislative session. With Republicans in charge of key committees, they will be able to advance their legislative agenda, forcing Democrats in swing districts to make difficult votes. Additionally, Republicans are poised to launch investigations into the Walz administration’s handling of various issues, including concerns over fraud prevention.
While Democrats are confident that they will win the upcoming special election, Republican leaders, such as Rep. Lisa Demuth, are optimistic about their chances of maintaining control over the House for the time being. Demuth, who is in line to become the next House speaker, expressed satisfaction with the judge’s ruling and emphasized that Republicans will have the organizational majority on day one of the session.
The ongoing battle for control of the Legislature also extends to the state Senate, where the unexpected death of Democratic Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic has left the chamber evenly split at 33-33. A special election will be held to fill her seat, further complicating the political landscape.
In the coming weeks, Republicans will need to stay focused and unified as they navigate a divided legislature, but their newfound majority, even if temporary, presents an opportunity to make significant strides in pushing their policies and holding the Walz administration accountable.