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Politics and Government News
Dana Ferguson

Walz sets special election for seat in suburban Ramsey County that will decide House power

The Minnesota State Capitol
The Minnesota State Capitol is pictured on the first day of the 2025 legislative session on Jan. 14.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

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In an order Wednesday, Gov. Tim Walz scheduled a high-stakes special election in a Roseville and Shoreview area House seat for March 11.

The District 40B seat came open in December after Curtis Johnson, the DFLer who won it, said he wouldn’t take office following a judge’s ruling that he didn’t live inside district boundaries.

The result of the election in less than five weeks will determine if the DFL pulls into a 67-67 tie or if Republicans will have a two-vote advantage — and the ability to pass most legislation on their own. It will also bring the House back to full force.

The special election was initially scheduled for last month, but the Supreme Court called that off after ruling Walz didn't provide enough notice for potential candidates.

Those interested in running will have until Feb. 11 to file. If there are multiple candidates seeking a party nomination, the primary will be on Feb. 25.

Two candidates had been running before the election was postponed.

They are Republican Paul Wikstrom, who was the party nominee last fall, and Democrat David Gottfried, who had the DFL endorsement in the special election.

“I am thrilled that this campaign is back in action!” Gottfried said in a written statement. “We’ve been ready to move forward full-steam ahead.”

The House has been bogged down over a power-sharing agreement, in part based on this seat. Leaders have been engaged this week in closed-door discussions about a deal to get the House up and running.

In the meantime, the House has now gone more than three weeks without enough members present to conduct business. Democrats have held out to deny a quorum.

The Supreme Court is reviewing a Republican legal petition on Thursday that could determine if the GOP can pass a motion to pressure Democrats into attendance.