Dems Have No Majorities To Start MN Legislative Session: Here's Why

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota Democrats will enter the 2025 legislative session without a majority in either the state House or Senate, following the death of one lawmaker and the disqualification of another.

Before Sen. Kari Dziedzic’s passing last week, Democrats held a slim 34-33 majority in the state Senate. Dziedzic died after battling ovarian cancer for several years.

Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ of special election on Monday to fill the vacancy in Hennepin County. The election is set for Jan. 28, and until then, the Senate will remain in a deadlock.

"My heart is with Senator Dziedzic’s family and all who knew and loved her," said Democratic-Farmer-Labor Chair Ken Martin in a statement.

"It is impossible to overstate the positive impact that Senator Dziedzic’s leadership has had on our state. She devoted her life to making her fellow Minnesotans’ lives better, and she refused to allow cancer to get in her way. Minnesota has lost a giant, but her extraordinary legacy will outlast us all."

In the state House, Democrats and Republicans were initially tied, but a court ruling last week granted control to Republicans, who now hold a 67-66 majority as the legislative session begins.

A special election for the House seat in Ramsey County is also scheduled for Jan. 28. This vacancy emerged after a court determined that Democratic Rep.-elect Curtis Johnson violated state residency requirements.

"While I disagree with the conclusions reached by the District Court, I recognize that whatever the decision on appeal, the ultimate decision belongs to the Legislature, where it appears there is no viable pathway for me being allowed to retain my seat," Johnson said in a statement.

"Rather than dragging this out further, I have decided to resign now, so that a special election can be held as soon as possible and the people of 40B will be represented in the Legislature."

Though the open seats are in strongly Democratic districts, Republicans will control the House and share half of the Senate when the legislative session begins on Jan. 14.