Republicans seize temporary control of Minnesota House, sparking political upheaval
- A court ruled that Curtis Johnson did not establish residency in his district, leading to his disqualification.
- Johnson announced his resignation on December 27, 2024, prompting a special election on January 28, 2025.
- With the resignation, Republicans will temporarily hold a majority in the Minnesota House, although it may be short-lived.
In Minnesota, a recent court ruling disqualified Democratic legislator Curtis Johnson from his position due to failure to prove residency in his district. This decision came after a judge determined that he did not live in the Roseville area for the required six months before the election, making him ineligible to serve. Johnson announced on December 27, 2024, that he would not appeal the court's ruling, opting to resign instead so that a special election could be scheduled to fill his seat. Governor Tim Walz has called for a special election to take place on January 28, 2025. The implications of Johnson’s resignation shift the balance of power temporarily in the Minnesota House, providing Republicans with a slim 67-66 majority as they convene on January 14, 2025. However, this majority may be short-lived, as the district is considered heavily Democratic, and it is expected that a Democrat will reclaim the seat. Johnson won his position by a substantial margin of approximately 30 points in the previous elections, raising expectations for a Democratic recovery in the upcoming special election. The decision not to appeal reflects a strategic move by Johnson to prevent further political turmoil and ensure representation for the constituents of District 40B. As he stated in his resignation letter, he recognizes that prolonged litigation would not serve the district well. His resignation allows the state government to initiate a timely process for electing a candidate who can effectively represent the constituents in the legislative assembly. This situation also highlights the complexities of legislative control in the state, where a power-sharing agreement had been anticipated prior to Johnson’s ruling. Republican leaders are pleased to establish organizational control without a partnership with Democrats, enabling them to advance their legislative agenda. While the GOP's influence could lead to significant policy initiatives, Democrats argue that functional control of the House requires a minimum of 68 votes. Nonetheless, Republicans can still conduct committee work and potentially issue investigations, particularly concerning matters related to the Walz administration.