Democrats won a special election in Minnesota, tying control of the state House at 67 seats for both Democrats and Republicans. The win in the 40B state House District restores balance after a court ruling had temporarily given Republicans a majority. Democrat David Gottfried defeated Republican Paul Wikstrom, preventing Republicans from countering Democratic priorities in the state government. This victory marks the end of a months-long power struggle in the state legislature.
The special election was held after a court ruled that the Democrat who initially won the district in November did not meet residency requirements. This ruling had given Republicans a temporary one-seat majority. Democrats staged a walkout to prevent Republicans from taking control and the state Supreme Court later blocked their attempt to convene their own session.
Democrats and Republicans agreed on a power-sharing arrangement, assuming Democrats would win the special election. Under this deal, Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth will be the speaker for the next two years, and committees will be co-chaired with equal representation from both parties. Republicans also agreed not to take action against Democratic Rep. Brad Tabke, whose narrow win in the November election was called into question due to a ballot error.
This victory for Democrats in the special election brings an end to an unusual political drama in Minnesota legislative politics and marks a continuation of the power-sharing arrangement between the two parties.
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