by Dennis Dalman
After nearly three months of wrangling over power tactics, the Minnesota State House now officially has a tie, 67-67, between Democrats and Republicans.
A majority by either party had been in doubt since the Nov. 5 election, requiring recounts of the results of two elections. Before the March 11 special election, Republicans held a tiny majority of only 1 vote – 67-66.
Some weeks ago, the two sides (Republicans and Democrats) did finally manage to arrive at a shared-powers governing agreement.
In the State Senate, Democrats hold a one-vote majority.
That tie is the result of a special election held March 11, which Democrat David Gottfried won, defeating Republican candidate Paul Wikstrom by 70 percent of the vote totals. Rep. Gottfried will represent District 40B in Ramsey County, a district that includes most of the cities of Roseville and Shoreview.
The special election was ordered because it was declared by a court decision that the Nov. 5 winner of the District 40B election, Democrat Curtis Johnson, did not meet residency requirements to serve for District 40B.
Gottfried reacted to his victory.
“We (Gottfried and his supporters) never lost sight of what’s at stake,” he said. “The President [Trump] is sowing chaos that is increasing the price of basic needs like food, energy and healthcare. It’s never been more urgent that we work together in St. Paul to shield Minnesotans from the chaos, lower the cost of prescription drugs and make a smart plan to protect our shared futures in Minnesota.”
Gottfried vowed to advocate for investments in mental-health services, the free lunch program for all K-12 students, strengthened worker protections, paid family and medical leave and productive freedom.
House Speaker Rep. Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) also reacted to Gottfried’s election win.
“While the House will return to a 67-67 tie after tonight, House Republican priorities remain unchanged,” she said. “We will continue our effort to stop the fraud, protect Minnesotans from harmful tax increases and work with our Democrat colleagues to pass a responsible and balanced budget.”
