Republicans File Petition Over Special Election, Democrats Threaten A No-Show In The Minnesota House

ST. PAUL (KVRR) — Minnesota House Democrats are threatening not to show up for the first day of the session if a power-sharing agreement isn’t reached with Republicans.

The body was tied at 67 until a judge decided that Curtis Johnson didn’t live in the district he won in November.

That gave Republicans a slim 67-66 majority but it won’t last long.

Gov. Tim Walz has already scheduled a January 28 special election in the Democratic-leaning district that Johnson won by 30 points.

Republicans, along with Minnesota Voters Alliance, have filed a petition with the Minnesota Supreme Court to halt the special election calling it “unlawful”.

“It’s pretty straight forward that Minnesotans delivered a tie. In fact Leader Demuth has said over and over, even in her recent press appearances even here today at 12:15 Minnesotans delivered a tied house and they expect us to govern as a tied house,” said State Rep. Melissa Hortman.

The Democrat from Brooklyn Park has served as Speaker of the House since 2019.

The 94th legislative session convenes at noon on Tuesday, January 14.