Minnesota house election ends GOP majority, restoring political gridlock

In a decisive special election on Tuesday, Democrat David Gottfried secured victory in a crucial Minnesota House district, restoring a 67-67 split between Democrats and Republicans. His overwhelming win ends the brief Republican majority and ensures a power-sharing arrangement that will shape legislative negotiations for the next two years.

Gottfried defeated Republican opponent Paul Wikstrom with approximately 70% of the vote, exceeding the 30-point margin by which Democrat Curtis Johnson had won the seat in November. However, Johnson was later disqualified due to residency violations, forcing a new election in this heavily Democratic district covering Roseville and Shoreview, suburbs of northern St. Paul.

The election’s outcome confirms a previously negotiated agreement between the two parties, in which Republican Lisa Demuth will remain House Speaker. With the chamber evenly divided, most committees will now have bipartisan leadership, with co-chairs alternating control. The exception is an oversight committee led by Republicans to investigate fraud in state programs.

With the House now deadlocked and Democrats holding only a narrow one-seat majority in the Minnesota Senate, bipartisan cooperation is critical for passing key budget measures. Democratic Governor Tim Walz faces an increasingly complex financial landscape, with a projected $456 million surplus for the upcoming two-year budget cycle but a looming $6 billion deficit in the following term.

Gottfried framed his win as a mandate to push back against national economic uncertainty. “The President is sowing chaos that is increasing the price of basic needs like food, energy, and healthcare,” he stated, emphasizing the need for state lawmakers to mitigate financial instability for Minnesotans.

Democratic House Leader Melissa Hortman reaffirmed her party’s commitment to bipartisanship. “Democrats have been ready to work in a bipartisan way for months. It’s time for our Republican colleagues to leave the partisan games behind and work with us to craft a budget for the people of Minnesota.”

Meanwhile, Speaker Demuth acknowledged the district’s strong Democratic lean but remained firm on her party’s priorities. “House Republican priorities remain unchanged: we will continue our effort to stop fraud, protect Minnesotans from harmful tax increases, and work with our Democrat colleagues to pass a responsible and balanced budget.”

Gottfried’s resounding victory follows a string of Democratic wins in special elections across the country, including key races in Virginia and Iowa earlier this year. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin hailed the result as a crucial win, signaling public rejection of former President Donald Trump, who remains the Republican nominee in the upcoming presidential election.

“Since November’s election, Democrats continue to fight and win in communities across the country,” Martin said, framing the Minnesota race as part of a broader electoral trend.

As Gottfried prepares to take office, Minnesota’s House chamber now enters a period of enforced bipartisanship, where legislative progress will depend on cooperation across party lines. With the 2026 election cycle already looming, both parties will seek to prove they can govern effectively in a split chamber—while positioning themselves for a decisive advantage in the next race.