Gov. Walz Issues Date For New Special Election Which Could Decide Balance Of Power In MN House

Gov. Walz Issues Date For New Special Election Which Could Decide Balance Of Power In MN House

The election, which could decide which party controls the Minnesota House, has now been scheduled for March 11.

ST PAUL, Minn. — Governor Tim Walz issued a new election date for Minnesota District 40B, after his first attempt to schedule a special election for the seat was rebuffed by the Minnesota Supreme Court.

The election, which could decide which party controls the Minnesota House, has now been scheduled for March 11.

The election stems from another court decision in December, which ruled Democrat Curtis Johnson, who won the race for House District 40B, did not fit residency requirements for his district and was therefore barred from taking the oath of office.

The day Curtis provided Gov. Tim Walz with his resignation, Walz called for a special election to be held on Jan. 28.

The Minnesota Republican Party filed a petition, arguing the Governor, Secretary of State, and Ramsey County, unlawfully issued the writ of special election, the Supreme Court decision states. The petitioners argued the writ was issued prematurely, and that the special election should not be called until sometime after the start of the legislative session.

The Minnesota Supreme Court agreed with this argument, canceling the Jan. 28 election.

This comes as the Minnesota House is embroiled in legal challenges. Republicans currently have a one-seat majority, but that could become a tie if another DFLer wins the District 40B race.

The DFL's house boycott of the current legislative session is still ongoing, as the party and the MN GOP have been unable to come to a power-sharing agreement.

SOURCE: KARE 11