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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.

Clay Masters

Author

The Roseville-area court challenge is the latest legal action Republicans are using to try and break the tie in the Minnesota House next year and muster up a majority in one chamber.

A person walks on a traffic island below the state capitol building

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

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