A special election in Minnesota House District 40B has reshaped the state’s legislative balance, ending the Republican majority and setting the stage for a deadlocked chamber. The election was required after a court ruling disqualified the original winner due to residency issues.
Election Results
DFL candidate David Gottfried won convincingly, defeating GOP candidate Paul Wikstrom by a margin of over 5,000 votes:
✅ David Gottfried (DFL): 9,352 votes (70%)
❌ Paul Wikstrom (GOP): 3,966 votes (30%)
This outcome aligns with the district’s strong Democratic lean, as the original November 2024 election also saw a 30-point victory for the DFL candidate. The election results will be officially certified in the coming days.
Impact on the Minnesota House
🗓 Swearing-In Date: Rep.-elect David Gottfried is expected to take office on Monday, March 17.
⚖️ House Control Now 67-67:
The Minnesota House was previously controlled by the GOP (67-66), but with Gottfried’s win, the chamber is now evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.
🤝 Bipartisan Power-Sharing Agreement Begins:
With the chamber now tied, a February 6, 2025, bipartisan agreement will take effect, ensuring shared governance in the House. Key provisions include:
- Rep. Lisa Demuth (GOP) will remain Speaker through December 2026.
- House committees will have co-chairs (one from each party) and equal representation from both sides.
- Bills must receive support from at least one member of the opposite party to advance out of committee.
- To pass legislation on the House floor, a minimum of 68 votes is required, meaning bipartisan cooperation is necessary.
Legislative Implications
📌 No More GOP-Only Bills:
Since February, the Republican-led House had been advancing its own bills through committees, but they lacked the votes to pass them on the floor. With the House now split evenly, the GOP can no longer move legislation alone, forcing both parties to negotiate.
📊 What’s Next? Budget Talks Begin
The House now turns its focus to budget planning. With the February economic forecast released on March 6, lawmakers will begin crafting a two-year state budget for July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027. Given the new power-sharing agreement, every step of the process will require bipartisan consensus.
🔎 Stay tuned for updates as the Minnesota House adapts to this new era of shared governance!
Central Minnesota Irrigators 