Saint Paul, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota Supreme Court handed Republicans a major defeat by striking down their illegitimate power grab. The Court ruled that a quorum in the Minnesota House of Representatives requires 68 members. The court’s ruling effectively invalidates every action Republicans took since the first day of session on January 14, 2025.
“Republicans tried to seize power that the voters did not give them,” said DFL Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman. “Now that it is clear Republicans must work with Democrats for the House to operate, I am hopeful we will be able to shortly negotiate an acceptable path forward. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and return to the negotiating table immediately.
“Democrats have asked for something very simple from Republicans, and that is to honor the will of the voters statewide, including in Shakopee. Democrats have been focused on work within our legislative districts but hope to be working collaboratively with Republicans soon in St. Paul as well.”
On January 20, a GOP state representative said kicking out Rep. Brad Tabke of Shakopee “should be the top priority” of House Republicans. House Republican leader Rep. Lisa Demuth previously told a conservative podcast host that “we should not be seating that representative” regardless of a court ruling.
“This decision from the Supreme Court confirms how incredibly out of line Minnesota Republicans have been in their crusade to throw out an election and seize control of the House for two years,” said House DFL Floor Leader Jamie Long. “Minnesotans value free and fair elections. It would be an appalling and unprecedented abuse of power to throw out an election and disenfranchise the 22,000 Minnesotans who voted in Shakopee in November, but that’s exactly what Republicans are prepared to do. The people of Shakopee deserve to decide who represents them, not 67 Republican politicians in Saint Paul.”