After the recent Election Day in Minnesota, the House appears to be evenly split with both Democrats and Republicans vying for control. Recounts in two races could potentially swing the balance if Republicans are able to claim either of the two seats that Democrats are currently holding by narrow margins. This uncertainty means it could be a while before the control of the House is determined, with past legislative recounts typically taking about a month after Election Day.
In the state Senate, Democrats managed to maintain their slim majority by winning a special election in suburban Hennepin County. Governor Tim Walz, who will be staying in Minnesota after losing the presidential bid with Vice President Kamala Harris, still has two years left in his current term. However, a tied state House or a slim Republican majority could significantly impact Walz’s agenda in the 2025 legislative session.
The once six-seat House majority held by Democrats going into the election has disappeared, leaving the lower chamber split 67-67 out of the 134 available seats. Two key races in St. Cloud and Shakopee, where Democrats are currently leading by narrow margins, are likely to head to recounts. If Republicans were to come out victorious in either of these races, they would take control of the House and disrupt the DFL’s influence that some claim led to excessive spending and policy changes.
Overall, the results of the recent election have left the political landscape in Minnesota in a state of uncertainty, with control of the House hanging in the balance and potential recounts in key races looming. House Speaker Melissa Hortman has mentioned that several races are “too close to call,” leaving the future control of the House up in the air.
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