House stays in DFL control, Senate flips to create trifecta

— UPDATED AT 7:48 p.m.

Just like the start of two years ago, the House will be controlled 70-64 by the DFL. Along with all five constitutional officers remaining DFLers, the Senate will be in DFL control, 34-33, when the 2023-24 bienniuim begins.

It’ll be the first time since 2013-14 that one party has a legislative trifecta. That, too, was the DFL.

In a year the so-called “experts” and pundits predicted Republicans would fare well, the Capitol Complex was swarmed by a blue wave.

Neither House caucus has put out a statement nor held a post-election news conference.

[MORE: View the 2022 Election Directory for the 2023-24 House]

Election results are not official until they have been certified by the state canvassing board. That is scheduled to occur Nov. 29.

According to the unofficial results at the Office of the Secretary of State, two races won by Republicans — Roger Skraba over Rep. Rob Ecklund in District 3A and Natalie Zeleznikar over 23-term Rep. Mary Murphy in District 3B — are eligible for a state-funded recount. Skraba won by 0.07% (15 votes amongst 21,743 cast) and Zeleznikar’s win was by 35 votes out of 21,620 cast, or 0.16%.  

By law, “A publicly funded recount of the results of an election for a state legislative office may occur if the difference in the number of votes cast for the apparent winning candidate and any other candidate is less than one-half of 1 percent (0.5 percent). ... A publicly funded recount will occur if the apparent losing candidate requests one by filing a notice with the appropriate filing officer within 48 hours after the canvassing board meeting." Candidates can pay for a recount themselves for larger margins.

If all numbers hold, the House will have 47 new members. Twenty-five Republicans and 19 DFLers will serve their first term, while DFLers Jeff Brand, Jerry Newton and Brad Tabke return.

[MORE: Roster of 2023-24 members-elect for the House and Senate]

The 2023 session is to begin Jan. 3 at noon. It must end by May 22. Office numbers and committee information will be determined in coming weeks by the majority caucus.