Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Politics and Government News
Clay Masters

Republican who lost Minnesota House race sues claiming DFL winner lives outside district

A person walks on a traffic island below the state capitol building
A person crosses Cedar Avenue as snow swirls around the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on Nov. 20.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Another legal challenge looms over a Minnesota House race in the knotted-up legislative chamber in the form of a residency dispute brought by a GOP candidate who says the DFL victor doesn’t live in the district he’d represent. 

The case, filed earlier this week, is yet another wrinkle for a House that is on course to be tied 67 to 67 between Republicans and Democrats when the session begins in January. Two close House races where DFLers have an edge — one in Shakopee and the other in St. Cloud — have yet to be certified pending final recount results.

In the Roseville area, Republican Paul Wikstrom claimed in a lawsuit filed in Ramsey County District Court that the Democratic winner, Curtis Johnson, does not live in the studio apartment listed on his paperwork.

Instead, the court filing claims Johnson lives outside the Roseville-area district in a home in Little Canada. The lawsuit says volunteers with the Wikstrom campaign took photos and observed both Johnson’s apartment and his Little Canada home over 60 times from Aug. 31 through Nov. 11.

In a statement, Johnson said he and his wife got an apartment as they searched for a new house in the district. 

The state Constitution’s eligibility requirements state that legislative candidates have to live in their district for six months before an election. 

A spokesperson for the Minnesota House DFL responded to the lawsuit with a statement that read: “Curtis Johnson lives in Minnesota House District 40B, and we believe this case will be dismissed.” 

This race is one of a handful Republicans are hoping they can use to break the tie and eke out a majority next session. 

Johnson, a Roseville school board member, defeated Wikstrom by more than 30 percentage points. His election was certified by the Ramsey County canvassing board.

Wikstrom’s lawsuit seeks to overturn certification and that a court order a new election.

A hearing in the case has not been set. The 2025 legislative session begins on Jan. 14.