After deciding to boycott the start of the 2025 Minnesota legislative session, House Democrats are now filing suit against Republicans saying they "acted unlawfully" Tuesday by moving forward with House business in what they claim is the absence of a quorum.
The House DFL is now asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to step in to decide whether the House GOP was violating the state constitution when they chose to elect a Speaker, and took other actions, with 67 members present, which they say is short of the 68-member quorum required.
“Republicans’ sham session had no legal authority, and the actions they took on January 14 have no legal effect," said DFL Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman. "A 68-member quorum is required to conduct House business, and only 67 members were present."
Hortman says that the Democrats are denying quorum to "protect the will of the voters in Shakopee and statewide."
This suit now joins another one that will be filed by Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, who wrote in a statement he "has no interest in being part of a partisan struggle," but added Republicans violated authority granted by state law to the Secretary of State after the house adjourned. Simon said he intends to make clear to the public that these proceedings were not legally legitimate.
Republicans currently hold a one-seat advantage while awaiting a special election January 28th for a Roseville-area seat that the DFL originally won during the election, but later lost due to a residency dispute with their candidate. The State Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments on another suit filed by Republicans challenging Governor Tim Walz calling for that special election.
Meanwhile, Tuesday a judge in Dakota County ruled the Rep. Brad Tabke (D- Shakopee) did win that race lawfully despite the misplacing of 20 ballots. That race was decided by only 14 votes. Republicans have challenged that decision and Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth (R- Cold Spring) has said they are exploring options in that district, while refusing to seat Tabke.
“On January 14 Republican state representatives took their oath of office and then turned around and broke it,” said DFL Floor Leader Jamie Long. “Republicans’ blatant disregard for the Minnesota Constitution and state law is a chilling attack on our democracy, and it is right out of the Donald Trump/MAGA playbook."
Hortman has been trying to get Republicans to agree to a power-sharing agreement for the period of time leading up to the special election but so far they two sides have not come to a consensus. She suggests Republicans keep their one vote advantage but then revert to a previous power-sharing deal once the imbalance is settled.
“That is not the full story,” Demuth said Tuesday. “What we are offering is to come in, I am the speaker of the House and we look forward to working with them over the next two years in a reasonable way. It is up to House Democrats should they want to engage with us again. We are waiting to hear back.”