Minnesota House DFL Accelerates Swearing-In, Igniting GOP Backlash

Minnesota House DFL Accelerates Swearing-In, Igniting GOP Backlash

The DFL's House delegation swore in all but one of its representative elects at the Minnesota History Center, with the other member having been sworn in on Friday.

ST PAUL, Minn. — In a move that has incensed the MN GOP, the MN DFL moved to have its House members sworn in before the legislative session kicks off on Tuesday.

The DFL's House delegation swore in all but one of its representative elects at the Minnesota History Center on Sunday, with the other member having been sworn in on Friday, according to a release from the party.

District Court Judge Kevin Burke swore in the representatives-elect.

“Last week we publicly stated our reasons for denying quorum – we would like Republicans to honor the will of the voters,” said DFL House Member Melissa Hortman. “We're working to successfully conclude negotiations with House Republicans and remain hopeful that we will have a power-sharing agreement before Tuesday, January 14th."

The move has drawn a sharp rebuke from the MN GOP.

"This move is a slap in the face to the institution and to every voter who expects their elected officials to act in good faith and uphold the integrity of the legislative process," said GOP House Member Lisa Demuth.

Demuth and her party argue that the process the DFL used to swear in their members was illegitimate.

"State law is clear: swearing in happens at noon on the day the legislature convenes; any attempt to subvert that is illegitimate," said Demuth in the statement.

Then, on Monday morning, the attorney for Minnesota House 54A Republican candidate Aaron Paul submitted a letter to a Scott County judge, calling the move to swear in DFL incumbent candidate Rep. Brad Tabke early — despite contested election results — "performative" and "improper."

With his letter, attorney Reid LeBeau II also floated the possibility of sanctions against Tabke.

In response to LeBeau later Monday afternoon, Tabke's attorney, David Zoll, wrote his client has the right to continue serving in his role in the legislature at least until the race is ultimately decided.

The race for Minnesota House seat 54A was decided by just 14 votes back in November, with Democrat Brad Tabke winning the race. However, an investigation determined that 20 votes from the district's 10th election precinct went missing, likely destroyed. A judge is still deciding the outcome.

For now, the DFL maintains its maneuver was both legal and has precedent.

"Taking the oath of office early in a location outside the state Capitol is not unprecedented – multiple instances are recorded in the House Journal," said the DFL statement.

The power struggle in the Minnesota House of Representatives, where Republicans enter the session with a temporary 67-66 edge pending a special election, could have broad implications for the public by delaying discussions in a budget year and interrupting work on items ranging from fraud protections to sports betting.

SOURCE: KARE 11