On Monday, a lawyer announced that Minnesota Senator Nicole Mitchell was convicted for breaking into her estranged stepmother’s home, which has prompted calls for her resignation by early August.
Mitchell, a Democrat, received the conviction on Friday after a jury deliberated for three hours. She was found guilty of first-degree robbery and possessing tools for robbery.
At 51, Mitchell has until August 4 to manage her legislative duties and ensure health insurance for her son, according to her lawyer’s statement.
Representing a suburban district east of St. Paul, Mitchell often plays a key role in Democratic voting within a closely divided state Senate.
Interestingly, her resignation might not align the Senate as neatly as previously thought, as the Republican party also announced the passing of Sen. Bruce Anderson, a GOP member from Buffalo.
After the verdict, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy indicated to her colleagues that Mitchell would resign if found guilty.
Governor Tim Walz mentioned he would call a special election to fill Mitchell’s seat “as soon as time allows,” aiming to give candidates ample time to prepare before the regular sessions in February.
Walz remarked that the situation might require a special session this fall to address budget issues arising from federal decisions. Senate Republican leader Mark Johnson expressed that Mitchell should resign promptly rather than waiting two weeks.
Johnson’s statement emphasized that Mitchell’s felony convictions render her unable to serve effectively. He also suggested that her continued presence in the Senate was mainly to secure her vote for the party’s agenda, which he believed was an accountability issue.
Mitchell was arrested on April 22, 2024, after claiming she entered her stepmother’s home to retrieve personal items, including her father’s ashes, which she said were not returned when requested. Her father was married to Denise Mitchell for 40 years.
During the trial, some lawmakers cited her intentions, arguing she simply wanted to check on her stepmother’s well-being rather than commit any crime.
