Saint Paul, Minn. – One week ago today, a judge ruled that Representative Brad Tabke received the most votes in the election to represent Shakopee in the Minnesota House. Despite Tabke’s victory on election night, in a recount, and in court, Republicans have said they will unseat him and call a special election. Today, Democrats urged Republicans to honor the will of the voters. A recording of their press conference is available on the House DFL’s official Facebook page.
“Minnesotans value free and fair elections. In a democracy, we accept the results of our elections, even if we dislike the outcome,” said DFL Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman. “Brad Tabke won on election night, he won in a recount, and he won in court. But Republicans want to kick him out and disenfranchise 22,000 Minnesotans who voted in the November election. Democrats are asking Republicans for something very simple: to honor the will of the voters. The people of Shakopee deserve to decide who represents them, not 67 Republican politicians in St. Paul.”
On Tuesday, January 14, District Court Judge Tracy Perzel issued a ruling upholding Tabke’s 14-vote victory. In her ruling, Judge Perzel said Tabke “remains the candidate with the most votes legally cast” in the election and that “there is no basis in fact or law for holding a special election.” A copy of the judge’s ruling is available here.
“It’s been a week since we received a decisive ruling on our election in Shakopee, and yet House Republicans still refuse to honor the will of the voters,” said Rep. Tabke. “They’re willing to steal power from Shakopee’s voters that they didn’t earn on Election Day, during the recount, or through the court. That’s not right, and that’s what we’re standing against.”
“Last November, my voice, and the voice of my neighbors, was heard during the election. It’s wrong that House Republicans want to silence our voices,” said Apichart Klaysinga, a Shakopee voter. “I’m here today to stand with Rep. Tabke and ask that our votes not be thrown away.”
On January 8, House Republican Leader Rep. Lisa Demuth told a conservative podcast host that Republicans would unseat Tabke regardless of Judge Perzel’s ruling. Demuth said “until there is a new election … we should not be seating that representative.”
“Democrats are ready to return to the Capitol right away, all we’re asking is for Republicans to honor the will of the voters,” said DFL Floor Leader Jamie Long. “Free and fair elections are worth fighting for. Democrats will continue to stand up for the voters of Shakopee, and we will fight Republican efforts to roll back the progress we’ve made over the past two years, including reproductive freedom, free school meals for kids, Paid Family and Medical Leave, clean energy standards to fight climate change, and more.”
Over the weekend, Demuth was asked by Eric Eskola on Almanac and Esme Murphy on WCCO if Republicans would kick out Tabke, but she refused to provide a yes or no answer. Another Republican leader, Rep. Harry Niska, would not provide an answer about unseating Tabke when asked on At Issue.
Democrats say that until Republicans commit to honoring the results of the Shakopee election and sharing power if the House returns to a 67-67 tie after a special election in Roseville, they will focus on doing important work in their districts, including meeting with constituents, participating in tours, drafting bills, and more.