Dem 47
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GOP 53
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Minnesota State Senator Convicted of Burglary

On Friday, Minnesota state Sen. Nicole Mitchell (DFL), a Lt. Colonel in the Air National Guard, was convicted of first-degree burglary. No, she didn't do it to supplement her $51,750 annual salary. She entered the house of her estranged stepmother via a window. She claimed she did it to get some of her father's things, since her stepmother is not talking to her. Mitchell hasn't been sentenced yet. Since Mitchell hasn't been accused of taking anything belonging to the stepmother and didn't damage anything, she might get off with a modest fine or even probation.

Normally, this story would be small ball. However, Republicans in the state Senate want her to resign from the Senate, where the DFL holds a 34-33 majority. If she does, the Senate would be tied at 33-33 until a special election can be held. Mitchell's district, SD-47, is fairly blue, so the DFL candidate would be favored if there is a special election. Still, her resignation could bring the state Senate to a grinding halt until the special election is held.

Republicans control the Minnesota state House 67-66 with one vacancy (in HD-34B). The vacancy occurred on June 14, 2025, when Vance Boelter assassinated Melissa Hortman (DFL), who represented HD-34B. It appeared to be a political assassination.

HD-34B is in Hennepin County 10 miles northwest of Minneapolis and is very blue, so when the special election is held, it is very likely that a DFLer will win. Then the state House will be tied at 67-67. In case of ties, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (DFL-MN) gets to play tiebreaker. Consequently, the question of whether Mitchell resigns is quite important. Until Hortman was murdered, the DFL had de facto control of the state legislature. After the assassination, the state Senate could block anything coming over from the House. If Mitchell resigns, it will be kind of dicey what happens next. (V)



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