A Minnesota judge has ruled that Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidates are not eligible to take the oath because they do not meet residency requirements, giving Republicans a majority in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
In a ruling issued Friday, Ramsey County District Court Judge Leonardo Castro said DFL candidate Curtis Johnson, who won the election to represent District 40B in the Minnesota House of Representatives, does not meet the state's residency requirements. Ta. living According to CBS News, he was in the “election district” for “six months prior to the election.”
Castro's ruling changed the balance of power from a 67-67 tie between Democrats and Republicans to a “one-seat” majority for Republicans in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
The decision shifts the balance of power between Republicans and Democrats from a 67-67 tie to a Republican majority of one seat, at least temporarily. That narrow majority isn't enough to pass the bill without DFL buy-in, but 68 votes are needed to approve the bill on the floor, but Republicans will choose the speaker and make other decisions about how the chamber operates. You will be able to make decisions.
“This is not a suggestion or a nuisance,” Castro said of the residency rule. “The reason for the mandate is clear and self-evident for our signature form of government.”
Under Castro's ruling, Johnson will not be allowed to take the oath of office on January 14, 2025, and the seat will have to be “filled in accordance with law,” the newspaper reported.
Castro's ruling requires Johnson to challenge an election challenge filed in November by his Republican opponent, Paul Wikstrom, alleging that he does not meet the residency requirements for the district he won. This was issued in response to what happened. thrown According to out Twin City Pioneer Press.
In response to Wikstrom's lawsuit “challenging Mr. Johnson's victory,” the paper said that Mr. Wikstrom had “unreasonably delayed an investigation” into Mr. Johnson's residency and that Mr. He claimed he had “provided evidence” that he actually lived in the building's apartment. :
Mr. Johnson also provided evidence that he resides in a Roseville apartment in the district. They included documents from the property manager showing that Johnson was living in a different room from the one Wikstro's camp had been monitoring and claiming was empty.
According to CBS News, “Candidate Paul Wickstrom has proven by clear and convincing evidence that Curtis Johnson did not reside in Minnesota House District 40B during the entire six months prior to the general election.” '' said Curtis. “Curtis Johnson's own testimony reveals that he resided within House District 40B until mid-October 2024 and did not maintain a regular residence.”
Castro's statement came after Wikstrom's camp “surveilled” Johnson's home in Little Canada and took “photos and video showing Johnson's car in the driveway,” according to CBS News.
CBS News reported that Prime Minister Johnson could appeal the Castro ruling.
