By this point in 2023, Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers in control of state government moved swiftly to enact their agenda. But with the return of divided government this year, the 2025 legislative session’s first big hurdle will be in court.
A power struggle between DFL and Republican lawmakers in the House has sucked up much of the oxygen at the Capitol this past week and their squabble over how the chamber will be led for the next two years is headed for the state Supreme Court.
A hearing on whether the GOP can lawfully conduct business as the majority is scheduled for Thursday. In November, voters elected a House tied 67-67 between the parties for the first time since 1979. Initially, Republicans and Democrats had been working on a power-sharing deal. That changed after one DFL representative-elect stepped aside, putting the balance at 67-66. And another election’s results are disputed by the GOP.
As a result, Republicans are attempting to take control of the House with what’s likely to be a temporary majority. They claim they can conduct business because they have 67 members — a majority of 133 members.
In response, Democrats have boycotted the session, arguing there need to be 68 members to initiate any business by the 134-member body. Despite the no-show, Republicans elected a speaker Tuesday and are proceeding with business as normal.
What happened?
When initial election results showed there’d be a tie between the DFL and Republicans in the House, caucus leaders Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold-Spring, started power-sharing negotiations in anticipation of an evenly-split chamber.
Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, D-Brooklyn Park, left, and Minnesota state Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring. (Courtesy photo, Forum News Service)
It was unclear who would control the speakership at the time, but by two weeks after the election, the leaders had announced a tentative agreement where the parties would share control of committees.
Negotiations slowed and eventually halted amid GOP challenges to two DFL House victories.
Here’s what happened in the lead-up to and in the first week of the session:
Nov. 20
GOP candidate Paul Wikstrom files an election challenge in Ramsey County disputing the residency of his DFL opponent, Curtis Johnson, who won by 30 points. Wikstrom submits thorough evidence gathered by his campaign with the aim of proving Johnson never moved into the Roseville apartment he listed on paperwork to run in House District 40B.
Nov. 26
Republicans announce they’ll sue to challenge results of a recount in which Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee, won reelection over GOP challenger Aaron Paul. They claim 20 missing absentee ballots could have tipped the race.
Dec. 27
Johnson steps down after a court rules there’s enough evidence that he didn’t live in the district he won. Gov. Tim Walz calls a special election in House District 40B for Jan. 28. This is later challenged in court and delayed.
The move grants House Republicans what they call an “organizational majority,” though there’s debate over whether that means they can pass bills or elect a speaker.
Dec. 29
The Senate DFL announces that Sen. Kari Dziedzic, former majority leader, has died after a long battle with cancer. The Senate is at a 33-33 tie.
Jan. 6
Republicans sue to challenge the timing of the special election in House District 40B. They argue Walz should have waited 22 days after the start of the session rather than calling it for Jan. 28.
Jan. 7
House Democrats say they won’t show up on the first day of the session without a power-sharing deal from Republicans.
Jan. 11
DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon, who is constitutionally tasked with initiating the new House session, says he will not convene the House unless there are 68 members present. In his and the House DFL’s view, a quorum of members under the state Constitution must be at least that number.
Jan. 12
House Democrats swear in members in a closed ceremony at the Minnesota History Center. Doing so prevents them from needing to show up at the House on the first day of the session, giving them the ability to deny Republicans a quorum. The GOP calls the move “illegitimate.”
Monday, Jan. 13
The state Republican Party threatens to issue petitions for recall elections against House DFLers if they do not show up for opening day of the session on Tuesday.
Tuesday, Jan. 14
House DFLers are a no-show at the Capitol. Sixty-seven Republican representatives assemble in the House chamber. After a roll call, Simon rules there is no quorum and adjourns the House. Republicans then move forward with proceedings and elect Demuth as speaker without 66 DFL representatives present.
Rep. Lisa Demuth. R-Cold Spring, speaks to a half-empty House chamber after the state DFL representatives boycotted the opening session of the Minnesota legislature at the State Capitol in St. Paul on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Demuth was elected by Republicans as House speaker in an action that is contested by the DFL. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
DFLers decry the GOP actions as “unlawful” and “unconstitutional,” and they file challenges in the state Supreme Court.
Republicans assuming the role as the majority also set in motion a path to deny the admittance of Tabke, despite a court decision the same day finding he won the election. The Legislature is able to determine who is an eligible member after an election, though DFLers call this an abuse of power.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Senate begins the session with little drama with its 33-33 split. DFL and Republican members agree to a temporary power-sharing agreement before the special election for the late Sen. Dziedzic’s seat.
Wednesday, Jan. 15
The state Supreme Court hears arguments in the case where Republicans argue the 40B election, the Roseville seat Johnson gave up, should be held at a later date. The court indicated it would have a decision soon, and that they’ll hear the DFL challenge on the quorum case next Thursday.
Thursday, Jan. 16
Walz presents his budget recommendations, which he’s required to do before the Legislature begins budget work and typically does in the second half of January. This year’s budget proposal is slimmer than the last one as the state faces a potential deficit in future years.
Lawmakers typically won’t have serious discussions about the state budget until after the February budget forecast, but the governor’s recommendations are a general starting point for discussions.
Friday, Jan. 17
The Minnesota Supreme Court rules Walz called the special election in 40B too early and directed the governor to hold it at a later date. This move will extend the GOP a majority.
Meanwhile, a judge delayed the trial of state Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, for felony burglary in connection to a break-in at her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes, Minn. Republicans and some DFLers have called for her resignation.
What happens next?
It doesn’t appear House Democrats are ready to return to the Capitol at any point before they get a commitment from Republicans on power-sharing or the special election in 40B is resolved.
Doing so before either condition is met would give Republicans a quorum with their current majority, potentially ending their legal challenge to the Republican-run House.
Until the Supreme Court rules on the matter of House control, much state business is on hold. Though typically, major bills, like those forming the budget, do not develop until later on in the legislative session.
Lawmakers have until the end of June to pass a two-year budget. The session officially ends May 19, though the governor can call the House and Senate back if work is unfinished. If no budget is passed by June 30, the state risks a government shutdown.
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