Special Election to impact Minnesota House power balance

On Wednesday, Gov. Tim Walz issued a Writ of Special Election designating Tuesday, March 11 as the date to fill the vacant District 40B House seat. The result will either produce a 67-67 tie in House membership or increase a Republican advantage to 68-66.

In December, a judge granted Republican Paul Wikstrom’s contest of the results in the Minnesota House race after finding that Curtis Johnson, the DFL candidate who won the election did not live in the district at the time. State law requires candidates to reside in the district they represent for at least six months before the general election.

Johnson won the seat by more than 30% on November 5.

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Gov. Walz issued a writ of special election for January 28, after Johnson had resigned at the end of December. The Minnesota Supreme Court canceled the planned January 28, 2025, special election, ruling that the writ of special election was issued prematurely. According to Minn. Stat. § 204D.19, subd. 4 (2024), the writ of special election would have to be issued after the start of the legislative session which started on January 14.

According to the Minnesota House of Representatives, a special primary election for nomination of candidates, if necessary, would be held February 25.

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Affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions for the seat must be filed with the Office of the Secretary of State or the Ramsey County auditor by February 11.

About two-thirds of District 40B is in Roseville and the remainder in Shoreview.