ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota House Republicans could start the 2025 legislative session in the majority after a judge ruled Friday that a Democratic candidate didn’t meet the residency requirements for his suburban district.
Ramsey County Judge Leonardo Castro ruled that Curtis Johnson didn’t live in the Roseville-area district for the required six months ahead of the election and is therefore ineligible to serve, Minnesota Public Radio reported. House Democrats said they would immediately appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Legislative leaders from both parties have been proceeding under the assumption that the House would be tied 67-67 when the Legislature convenes Jan. 14, and they’ve been working out a power-sharing agreement. If Johnson is ultimately barred from taking office, Republicans would have a 67-66 majority until a special election could be held in the Democratic-leaning district.
A pending court challenge in a different suburban district could also affect the balance of power in the House. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Brad Tabke, of Shakopee, was declared the winner by 14 votes over Republican Aaron Paul despite 20 missing ballots that were accepted but never counted and then apparently thrown away. At a hearing this week, his attorneys presented six of those affected voters who testified that they supported Tabke, which would be enough to preserve his win. A judge is expected to decide within the next few weeks how to proceed.