Minnesota House Democrats Sworn Into Office Early ss They Prepare to Boycott the Legislative Session
14th January 2025
Minnesota House Democrats were sworn into office Sunday evening in a private ceremony at the Minnesota History Center, a “covert” move that Republicans criticized as illegitimate.
The swearing-in is the latest twist in a contentious run up to the 2025 legislative session, which House Democrats are promising to boycott for several weeks without a power-sharing agreement with Republicans.
DFL leader Melissa Hortman said in a statement that they wanted to make sure their members were “properly and legally sworn in” if they don’t show up for session on the first day Tuesday. Members are typically sworn into office as the legislative session convenes.
“Any attempt to subvert that is illegitimate,” said GOP House Leader Lisa Demuth,esponding to the news Sunday that Democrats had secretly sworn in their members. “This move is a slap in the face to the institution and to every voter who expects their elected officials to act in good faith and uphold the integrity of the legislative process.”
Democrats lost three seats in the state House in the fall election, leaving the chamber tied 67-67. But Republicans successfully challenged in court the residency of a Democrat who won a Roseville-area seat, leaving the chamber with a 67-66 GOP edge pending a special election on Jan. 28.
Have you ever noticed that Democrats don’t seem to like actual democracy very much?
UPDATE: The Pitched Battles for Partisan Control in State Legislatures (New York Times)