Latest news with #DavidGottfried
CBS News
17-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Minnesota House returns to a rare tie after newly elected Democrat takes oath of office
The Minnesota House on Monday returned to a rare 67-67 tie, after a Democrat who won a special election last week took the oath of office. The seating of Rep. David Gottfried, who represents parts of Shoreview and Roseville in District 40B, means the power-sharing agreement negotiated between both caucuses last month takes effect. Democrats and Republicans now share power on committees and it ensures no bill comes to the floor for a vote without bipartisan support. Until now, the GOP had a one-seat advantage in the chamber, after a judge barred the initial DFL winner in the general election from serving, finding he did not live there as required by law. That left a vacancy and gave Republicans the temporary edge, prompting Democrats to boycott the legislative session for weeks to guarantee a deal about how the chamber would operate if it returned to a tie. "It is frustrating that we had to have a lot of conflict about getting a power-sharing agreement when we knew we would end up in a tie. I think that was wasted time and energy," former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park told reporters last week. "But we are where we are. We are tied, and we will move forward and hopefully start working together next week in a real way putting together a budget." Under the terms of the agreement, GOP House Speaker Lisa Demuth will remain in her role and Republicans will still lead the new oversight committee focused on fraud in public programs. But on committees that vet legislation, both parties will switch off who leads them. Democrats will have the gavel on those panels for the first time Tuesday. Republicans thus far have been able to advance their priority bills — without DFL support — to the floor for a vote. But not all of those proposals had the necessary votes to pass , even with that one-seat edge. "You will see maybe a little bit of settling into the new role that's to be expected, but I think you'll see some good, bipartisan work come out of this session. Minnesotans are looking forward to the work that can be done. They don't get involved in all of the happenings here on a daily basis," said Demuth. The Legislature must pass the next two-year state budget before session's end in mid-May. Those discussions began in earnest after the state's financial experts detailed the latest budget forecast earlier this month, which provides the estimates needed to piece together those spending plans . Lawmakers will have to keep an eye on looming budget impacts, too, as the state stares down a projected $6 billion deficit in future years.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MN House power-sharing agreement begins next week after special election
The Brief Following a fight over how many members were needed to have a quorum in the Minnesota House of Representatives earlier in the legislative session, a power-sharing agreement will begin between DFL and GOP lawmakers next week. DFL candidate David Gottfried won a special election held in District 40B on March 11, bringing the chamber to a 67-67 tie among both party members. Now tied, committees will be co-chaired by both parties, with an equal number of lawmakers on each committee and a bipartisan vote required to advance a bill, according to the power-sharing arrangement. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Following results from a special election in District 40B, covering parts of Roseville and Shoreview, the Minnesota House of Representatives will be tied at 67 members representing both the DFL and GOP, and begin a power-sharing agreement previously agreed on next week. What we know A whirlwind start to the 2025 legislative session saw Democrats stay home in an effort to deny a quorum, and stall official business from happening, as Republicans insisted they had majority seating until the special election could be resolved. As part of the power-sharing agreement ultimately hashed out by party leaders, Republicans controlled House committees while they had a 67-66 advantage, until the 40B election was held. During that time, both parties chaired committees with staggered one-seat voting advantages. Now returning to 67-67 tie, committees will be co-chaired by both parties, with an equal number of lawmakers on each committee. At that point, a bipartisan vote will be required to advance a bill. As part of the agreement, a Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee was created to consist of five GOP members and three DLF members appointed by their party. House lawmakers also made Rep. Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) House speaker for the entire two-year session. By the numbers David Gottfried, a Democrat, defeated Republican candidate Paul Wikstrom in a special election held on March 11 by a 70.15% to 29.75% margin, according to preliminary results provided by the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office. Results will be officially certified later in the month. District 40B is in Ramsey County and covers most of Roseville and Shoreview, and has historically been DFL-won. The backstory A judge ruled in December 2024 that the initial winner of District 40B, Curtis Johnson, did not meet residency requirements. The ruling came after Wikstrom filed a lawsuit that argued Johnson's primary residence wasn't in the district, and, according to state statute, was in violation of election residency requirements. Minnesota law says that at the time of the general election, a candidate must have lived in the state for one year and lived in the district for six months. The lawsuit said that Johnson signed an apartment lease at Rosedale Estates in Roseville, then registered in May to be in the state primary. Johnson ultimately decided not to appeal the judge's decision, and resigned from his House seat, leaving the House imbalanced. His decision not to appeal the court's decision left the GOP with a 67-66 majority earlier in the session until results could be certified. Timeline With the empty seat representing 40B, DFL lawmakers were down one representative to begin the session. During that time, DFL leaders called on Republicans to come to terms on a power-sharing agreement, while Republicans called on the DFL to return to work and allow them to operate with their temporary majority – which would have allowed them to set up leadership and committee assignments that the DFL couldn't overturn. Republicans attempted to operate as business as normal, arguing that 67 members were enough for a quorum. Their actions were undone, however, when the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a quorum must consider the entire legislative body, meaning 68 lawmakers need to be present on the House floor for lawmakers to conduct business. On Feb. 14, the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office also confirmed it had received petitions filed to recall several DFL lawmakers from their seats, filed on behalf of the GOP. However, the process would take nearly nine months, and has never been successfully completed in the state's history. The Source Previous FOX 9 reporting during the legislative session, and special election 40B results.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DFL's David Gottfried wins special election, ensuring power split in Minnesota House
Minnesota Democrat David Gottfried won a special election for House District 40B on Tuesday in a landslide, restoring a 67-67 split in the House of Representatives. The special election for the district, which is in Ramsey County and covers most of Roseville and Shoreview, was organized after the November winner — DFLer Curtis Johnson — didn't meet residency requirements following a court challenge. Gottfried defeated Republican Paul Wikstrom, who also ran for the seat in 2024 and challenged Johnson's residency in court. Gottfried received 70.15% of the vote (9,352 total). Wikstrom received 3,966 votes. This marks an increase in the margin of victory compared to November's election, when Johnson received won by a 65%-34% margin over Wikstrom, albeit with lower turnout. Gottfried said in a statement the victory is "for Roseville, Shoreview, and every constituent who hasn't been represented for weeks." "I couldn't be more thrilled to be headed to Saint Paul as soon as possible to get to work for this district and Minnesota. Our team's efforts during the many phases of this campaign have been astounding. I'm so proud of the work of everyone who knocked doors, made phone calls, sent postcards, chipped in a few bucks, and did everything they could to make sure we won tonight," Gottfried said. 'We never lost sight of what's at stake. The President [Trump] is sowing chaos that is increasing the price of basic needs like food, energy, and healthcare. It's never been more urgent that we work together in Saint Paul to shield Minnesotans from the chaos, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and make a smart plan to protect our shared futures in Minnesota.'Democrats already hold a one-seat majority in the Minnesota Senate. Given that 68 votes are needed to pass anything in the House, bipartisan teamwork will ultimately be needed to get most bills passed onto Walz's desk for his signature. DFL Chairman Ken Martin provided the following statement after Gottfried's victory: 'As a proud Minnesotan, I'm honored to congratulate David Gottfried on his crucial special election victory. Minnesota is a shining example of what can happen under Democratic leadership: providing free breakfast and lunch for K-12 students, investing in mental health services, strengthening worker protections, establishing paid family and medical leave, and enshrining protections for reproductive freedom into law. Since November's election, Democrats continue to fight and win in communities across the country.' House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, also issued a statement following Gottfried's win, saying it "was always going to be an uphill battle to win in a dark blue Democrat seat." "I want to thank Paul Wikstrom for running an incredible race and ensuring that District 40B is represented by someone who actually resides in the community," Demuth said. 'While the House will return to a 67-67 tie after tonight, House Republican priorities remain unchanged: we will continue our effort to stop the fraud, protect Minnesotans from harmful tax increases, and work with our Democrat colleagues to pass a responsible and balanced budget.'
Los Angeles Times
12-03-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Democrat David Gottfried wins Minnesota House special election, restoring a 67-67 power split
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Voters in a Minnesota House district at the center of post-election drama over chamber control decisively chose Democrat David Gottfried on Tuesday, tying the House and ending a short-lived Republican majority. The Democratic victory will force the two parties to work together on a budget for the next two years. Gottfried got about 70% of the vote to defeat Republican Paul Wikstrom, who also ran for the seat in November. The special election in the heavily Democratic district in the northern St. Paul suburbs of Roseville and Shoreview was scheduled after a state court ruled that Democratic winner Curtis Johnson failed to meet residency requirements. That disrupted an expected 67-67 tie in the House and led to the collapse of a power-sharing agreement when Republicans tried to capitalize on their unexpected majority, prompting a three-week Democratic boycott of the chamber. The parties reached a new power-sharing agreement in February that assumed Democrats would win the special election and restore the tie. Under the terms of the deal, Republican Lisa Demuth will remain House speaker for the next two years. Once Gottfried is sworn in, the two parties will have even strength on most committees, with co-chairs who will take turns holding the gavel, except for an oversight committee that Republicans will control to investigate fraud in government programs. Democrats hold a one-seat majority in the Minnesota Senate. Given the tie in the House, some degree of bipartisan cooperation will be required to get the 68 votes needed to pass the big budget measures to Democratic Gov. Tim Walz. Updated budget projections released last Thursday suggested difficult negotiations ahead. The projected surplus for the next two-year budget slipped to $456 million, while the projected deficit for the two years after that grew to $6 billion. Gottfried's 40-point margin of victory exceeded Johnson's 30-point win in November. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris carried the district with 68% of the vote over President Trump, the Republican nominee. Gottfried said his win is a victory for the voters in his district, who haven't been represented in the House since the session convened in January. 'The President is sowing chaos that is increasing the price of basic needs like food, energy, and healthcare,' Gottfried said in a statement. 'It's never been more urgent that we work together in Saint Paul to shield Minnesotans from the chaos, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and make a smart plan to protect our shared futures in Minnesota.' House Democratic Caucus leader Melissa Hortman said Gottfried's win confirms that they'll be working under the power-sharing agreement they negotiated with House Republicans. 'Democrats have been ready to work in a bipartisan way for months,' Hortman said in a statement. 'It's time for our Republican colleagues to leave the partisan games behind and work with us to craft a budget for the people of Minnesota.' Demuth said it was always going to be an uphill battle for a Republican to win in the district. 'While the House will return to a 67-67 tie after tonight, House Republican priorities remain unchanged: we will continue our effort to stop the fraud, protect Minnesotans from harmful tax increases, and work with our Democrat colleagues to pass a responsible and balanced budget,' Demuth said in a statement. Ken Martin, a Minnesotan who chairs both the Democratic National Committee and the state party organization, congratulated Gottfried for what he called a 'crucial' victory for the party. Gottfried's win comes on the heels of special election victories earlier this year in Virginia and Iowa, and it shows that Americans are already rejecting Trump, the DNC said in a statement. 'Since November's election, Democrats continue to fight and win in communities across the country,' Martin said. Karnowski writes for the Associated Press.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrat wins special election, bringing Minnesota House to a tie
State Rep.-elect David Gottfried, who won a special election in House District 40B in the north metro area on March 11, 2025. Courtesy photo. Democrat David Gottfried decisively won a special election in the north metro area Tuesday night, bringing the Minnesota House to a 67-67 tie. The seat was empty because the winner of the November election, Democrat Curtis Johnson, was not a resident of the district, a judge ruled in December. 'The President is sowing chaos that is increasing the price of basic needs like food, energy and health care. It's never been more urgent that we work together in Saint Paul,' Gottfried said in a statement. After Gottfried is sworn in, likely on Monday, committees will be co-chaired by one Republican and one Democrat, with membership split evenly, except for a new anti-fraud committee that will remain under Republican control. Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, will remain in her position as the House speaker through 2026, under a power sharing agreement negotiated earlier this year. A bill requires 68 votes to pass in the House, so all bills will require some amount of bipartisan support to pass the chamber. Bills will also require bipartisan support to get a committee hearing, House DFL caucus leader Melissa Hortman said this week. Per a prior agreement, Republicans will retain their majority on the Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee, which was formed to address the theft of hundreds of millions of public dollars in recent years. Lawmakers must pass a two-year budget by June 30 to avoid a government shutdown. Republicans, who have controlled committees during their temporary one-seat advantage, have just a few more days to hold hearings on their bills that have no DFL support. The one-seat advantage — though temporary — has paid dividends for Republicans, who secured the speakership and the permanent majority on the anti-fraud committee. And, they were able to get bills on the floor to push their political message, even if they had no chance of passage, like delaying the implementation of paid leave, overturning the duty to retreat, and banning transgender athletes from girls sports. While the seat was empty, Republicans considered using their one-vote advantage to block the seating of DFL Rep. Brad Tabke, who narrowly won his south metro election. Democrats held out from the legislative session for several weeks, preventing the chamber from reaching the number of present members required to conduct business. Democrats returned to the chamber in early February after reaching a deal with Republicans on the details of the power-sharing agreement. 'It was always going to be an uphill battle to win in a dark blue Democrat seat, but we look forward to having the House back at full strength,' Demuth said. 'I want to thank Paul Wikstrom for running an incredible race and ensuring that District 40B is represented by someone who actually resides in the community.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
