A tense legislative session has become more so as a death, forced resignation, burglary trial, threats of a temporary boycott and more are leading to major questions about party control in 2025.

Former state Sen. Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis), who represented much of the University of Minnesota area, died Dec. 27 of ovarian cancer at 62 years old. Gov. Tim Walz scheduled a special election for Jan. 28 to replace the former DFL leader and primary elections for the seat on Tuesday.

Over a dozen candidates initially filed to run for the seat, but some withdrawals left the total number of candidates running at 10 — eight DFL and two Republican candidates.

Among the DFL candidates, former DFL Chair for the Senate District 60 Doron Clark, LGBTQ+ advocacy group Gender Justice Political Advocacy Director Monica Meyer and Legislative Director for the Sierra Club’s North Star Chapter Peter Wagenius earned the most major endorsements.

City Council President Elliott Payne (Ward 1) and Minneapolis mayoral candidate Emily Koski endorsed Clark, Rep. Ilhan Omar and Council Member Robin Wonsley (Ward 2) endorsed Meyer, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and state Rep. Katie Jones (DFL-Minneapolis) endorsed Wagenius.

While the DFL is heavily favored to win the Minneapolis Senate seat, Republicans Christopher Robin Zimmerman and Abigail Wolters are running as well.

The primary election begins Tuesday, Jan 14 with early voting starting Thursday, Jan 9. The general election starts Jan. 28 and early voting begins Jan. 22.

Republican sues to delay election to replace Dziedzic’s old seat

While candidates to replace Dziedzic in the state Senate are in the midst of their campaigns, the Republican Party of Minnesota filed a lawsuit alleging Walz violated election laws.

According to Republican officials, the earliest the special election can take place is 22 days after the legislative session begins, which would be Feb. 5, based on state law. 

“Gov. Walz did not follow the election law when he issued a writ on Dec. 27,” Minnesota Republican Party attorney Ryan Wilson said in a Monday press conference. “This lawsuit is being brought to ensure that the rule of law is being followed, that our election laws are followed and that we have a fair election in compliance with duly passed election laws by the Legislature.”

Republicans are asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to step in and delay the special election, according to the lawsuit filed.

In response, Walz said state law requires special elections to begin as soon as possible and that “Republicans are trying to use the courts to prevent democratic legislators from being seated,” according to reporting by KSTP.

DFL representation in the legislature falls, Republicans push for advantage

Following the November elections, the DFL had a 34-33 split in the state Senate and a 67-67 split in the state House. Going into the legislative session, the DFL and Republican parties discussed a power-sharing agreement.

However, Dziedzic’s death and a successful residency challenge to one DFL House member leaves the Legislature temporarily at a tie in the Senate and a one-seat Republican House majority. Additionally, the outcome of a burglary trial against DFL senator Nicole Mitchell could be another blow to the DFL’s legislative influence. 

While the DFL would be heavily favored in all three special elections, Republicans want to use the brief advantage to elect a House speaker and strategically control committees. Given how GOP control will in all likelihood be short-lived and a power-sharing agreement was already in the works, Democrats are opposed to this Republican effort.

“If there is no power-sharing agreement, we will not be here,” said DFL House Leader Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) at a Monday news conference.

To prevent this, House Democrats say they may no-show Tuesday at the start of the legislative session without a power-sharing agreement to prevent Republicans from controlling the speakership and key committees. Depending on what the Minnesota Secretary of State decides is a “quorum,” this would prevent Republicans from voting on anything.

“It completely begs the question of whether or not a true power-sharing was going to work when we see that Democrats are refusing to potentially even come in to work,” said Republican House Leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) at a Monday press conference.