Minnesota Democrat wins state House special election – Washington Examiner
In a recent special election in Minnesota’s House District 40B,Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidate David Gottfried emerged victorious,defeating Republican Paul Wikstrom with 70% of the vote. This win leads to a tie in control of the Minnesota house, bringing the total representation to 67 Democrats and 67 republicans. National Democrats celebrated Gottfried’s victory, viewing it as a step toward reclaiming the majority in 2026. The special election was prompted by the previous winner, Curtis Johnson, failing to meet residency requirements. The power dynamics in the state legislature have been tumultuous, with ongoing negotiations between the two parties on committee leadership and legislative processes. Currently, the DFL maintains a narrow majority in the senate and holds the Governor’s office under Democrat Tim Walz.
Minnesota Democrat wins state House special election, teeing up split control with GOP
Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate David Gottfried has been elected in Minnesota’s special election for House District 40B, defeating Republican Paul Wikstrom 70% to 30%.
Gottfried’s win splits control of the Minnesota House 67 to 67 between the DFL and Republicans.
National Democrats celebrated his win.
“David Gottfried’s victory tonight restores a tie in this ultra-competitive state House chamber and puts the DLCC and the DFL a step closer to our shared goal of taking back the majority in 2026,” Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams told Fox 5.
New Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin, who is also chair of the DFL, congratulated Gottfried as well. “As a proud Minnesotan, I’m honored to congratulate David Gottfried on his crucial special election victory. Minnesota is a shining example of what can happen under Democratic leadership: providing free breakfast and lunch for K-12 students, investing in mental health services, strengthening worker protections, establishing paid family and medical leave, and enshrining protections for reproductive freedom into law.”
The special election occurred because the district’s previous winner, Curtis Johnson, did not meet residency requirements.
Gottfried’s election progresses a months-long power struggle between the two parties that saw state House Democrats deny Republicans a quorum until they reached a power-sharing agreement. The compromise stipulated that both parties will co-chair committees with an equal number of lawmakers on each committee. A bipartisan vote would then be needed to advance bills.
MINNESOTA GOP WINS HOUSE SPEAKER ROLE AFTER WEEKS OF POWER SHARING STANDSTILL
Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth was elected state House speaker to serve for two years. She has been critical of DFL members, telling the Washington Examiner ahead of Tuesday’s special election that Minnesota House Democrats “ran roughshod over the will of Minnesotans” over the past two years.
The DFL has a one-seat majority in Minnesota’s Senate and Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) leads the state’s executive branch.
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