House Republicans plan to act as majority, DFL threatens Opening Day absence in power sharing tug-of-war

House Republicans plan to fully exercise their rights as the majority on the first day of the 2025 legislative session, but House DFLers plan to not be in the Capitol if a power-sharing agreement isn’t in place.

Republican House Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) reiterated at a Monday press conference that with a 67-66 split in the House, the tie following the general election no longer exists.

“We will be showing up on Jan. 14 ready to do the work that Minnesotans have sent us to the House of Representatives to do. House Republicans are ready to act on what we have heard from Minnesotans across the state over the last two-plus years,” Demuth said.

DFL Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman answers questions regarding the upcoming legislative session — including whether her caucus members will show up on the first day — during a Monday news conference. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)

At a later press conference, DFL House Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) said DFL members aren’t planning to be present at the Capitol on the first day of the legislative session if Republicans don’t honor the power-sharing agreement negotiated after the Nov. 5 election, when the House was expected to be tied 67-67. DFL House members will be working in their districts on the first day of the session instead, she said.

“We will do what it takes to preserve the will of the voters in the House of Representatives. In this last election, Minnesotans voted for equal numbers of Democratic and Republican state representatives,” Hortman said.

The House’s current 67-66 split is due to Curtis Johnson resigning from the District 40B seat last month after a district judge ruled that the DFL candidate didn’t meet the residency requirement. Gov. Tim Walz set Jan. 28 for the special election.

Additionally, a judge has yet to rule in a case involving the election for the District 54A seat. Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL-Shakopee) won by 14 votes over Republican candidate Aaron Paul, but Republicans challenged the election over 20 missing ballots.

The Minnesota Constitution states that the chamber decides which members are seated. Demuth said Republicans intend to act on their constitutional right if Paul brings his challenge to the House. Hortman said she anticipates that Tabke will be seated.

Demuth said she expects to be elected House speaker with 67 votes. With the one-seat advantage, Republicans could claim committee chairs, rather than having DFL co-chairs for committees, as was the plan when membership was projected to be tied. And Republicans may consider reducing the number of DFLers on the committees, according to Demuth.

Hortman said a quorum in the House is 68 members. The Republicans won’t be able to conduct any business without DFL members present, including elect a speaker, she said.

Demuth also announced that Republicans intend to create a new House committee focused on fraud and oversight in state agencies. The committee is expected to be chaired by Rep. Kristin Robbins (R-Maple Grove) and have subpoena power.   

In 2025, Republicans will also work to repeal the tax on Social Security, repeal the nuclear moratorium and hold criminals accountable, Demuth said.