A special election in Minnesota’s House District 40B will determine whether control of the chamber will be tied between Democrats and Republicans. The election was called after Democratic Rep.-elect Curtis Johnson was ruled ineligible due to residency requirements. The GOP now has a narrow majority following the collapse of a power-sharing agreement between the parties. The election will see Democrat David Gottfried facing off against Republican Paul Wikstrom, with Democrats hoping to restore a 67-67 tie in the House.
The new power-sharing agreement assumes a Democratic win in the special election, with Republican Lisa Demuth remaining House speaker. If Gottfried wins, committees will have even strength except for an oversight committee controlled by Republicans. Bipartisan cooperation will be necessary to pass major budget measures, especially with updated budget projections showing a slim surplus for the next two-year budget and a growing deficit in the following two years.
Despite the district’s Democratic leanings, GOP gains in the November elections have shifted the state back to divided government after two years of Democratic control. The race in District 40B will be crucial in determining the balance of power in the Minnesota House. The GOP’s unexpected majority has upended expectations and will have significant implications for legislative priorities moving forward.
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