In a special election held on Tuesday, Democrat David Gottfried emerged victorious, defeating Republican Paul Wikstrom. Gottfried will take over a House seat that represents Roseville and Shoreview.
The Associated Press declared Gottfried the winner shortly after the polls closed. However, the final results still need to be certified before he officially joins the House.
This election has led to an even split in the House, now consisting of 67 Republicans and 67 Democrats. This tie triggers the implementation of a bipartisan power-sharing agreement established earlier this year.
According to the agreement, Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth will continue in her position. The GOP will also maintain a majority on a new committee dedicated to addressing fraud and abuse in government-funded programs. This role allows Demuth to manage discussions on motions and amendments during bill debates.
Other committees will operate with equal representation from both parties, featuring co-chairs from both sides. This rule will also apply to conference committees that reconcile differences between Senate and House bills.
“My hope is that we can find more opportunities for bipartisanship,” said House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman. With Gottfried’s upcoming seat change, the Legislature will be fully operational for the first time this year.
As a result, the House can refocus on legislation that has support from both parties. This marks a shift from recent months, where many GOP-backed proposals failed to secure enough votes.
Republicans have been emphasizing their key issues to show where Democrats stand. Their recent proposed legislation on matters like transgender athletes in sports and immigration laws has been seen as important for their future campaigns.
House GOP Leader Harry Niska mentioned, “It’s vital for Minnesotans to see how responsible Republican governance compares to Democratic opposition.”
New scheduling rules will also be in place for House Rules Committee members to ensure fair consideration of bills from both parties.
Under the agreement, both GOP and DFL caucuses must appoint an equal number of members to councils, boards, and commissions. If there’s an odd number, caucus leaders will work together to fill positions or leave some empty.
Since 2019, Republicans have been in the minority in the Minnesota House. They gained three seats in November’s elections, resulting in today’s tie. The previous House seat was thrown into question when Paul Wikstrom challenged the residency of Curtis Johnson, leading to Johnson stepping down.
This created an open seat for Gottfried. During the past month, despite the Republicans having a temporary edge, many bills failed to achieve the required 68 votes to pass.
Additionally, a previous attempt by Governor Walz and the DFL to call a special election was blocked by the state Supreme Court due to a Republican lawsuit, rescheduling it for March 11.
Gottfried is expected to take his seat as the 2025 session approaches its midpoint, with lawmakers needing to adjourn by May 19.
You might like: Democrats Secure Key Victory in Minnesota Special Election: What This Means for House Control
Source link