The Minnesota House of Representatives has returned to a 67-67 tie following a special election to fill the seat of the late Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. On September 16, Xp Lee, a Democrat and former Brooklyn Park City Council member, secured victory with 61% of the vote, defeating Republican candidate Ruth Bittner, who received 39%.
The House seat 34B represents areas of Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, and Champlin, and was anticipated to remain in Democratic hands. In her last election in November 2024, Hortman garnered 63% of the votes, reflecting her strong support in the community. Following her election, Lee expressed gratitude, stating, “I am honored to have been elected to represent my neighbors in Brooklyn Park, Champlin, and Coon Rapids. I have never lost sight of the situation that brought us to this moment, and I will work hard every day to carry forward Speaker Melissa Hortman’s legacy.”
Hortman, along with her husband, Mark, and their dog, was tragically killed in their home on June 14. The alleged assailant, Vance Boelter, faces multiple charges, including federal and state murder charges, as well as attempted murder concerning a separate incident involving Senator John Hoffman and his family.
The Minnesota House Speaker, Lisa Demuth, held her first leadership meeting with Lee’s successor as House DFL Leader, Rep. Zack Stephenson of Coon Rapids, on September 9. Reflecting on her collaboration with Hortman, Demuth noted the importance of maintaining unity in a tied House. “I would think we would return to a tie. Working with Melissa over the last year was basically ‘Team House,’” she commented. “Being back in this room, realizing, in a tie, we still need to be ‘Team House,’ but not expecting Leader Stephenson to take Melissa’s place in any way.”
In addition to the House election, special elections are forthcoming for two vacant Senate seats, which were left open due to the resignation of former Senator Nicole Mitchell and the death of Senator Bruce Anderson. These elections are scheduled for November 4, 2024. Currently, the Senate holds a narrow DFL majority of 33-32.
Following the special election, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is anticipated to call a special session to address issues of gun violence, spurred by the tragic events surrounding Hortman’s death and the August 27 shooting at Annunciation Church, which resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to 21 others, including 18 children.
The special election for Hortman’s seat marks one of six special elections scheduled for 2025, matching the state record set in 1994, according to the Legislative Reference Library. As the political landscape in Minnesota continues to evolve, the implications of these elections will undoubtedly resonate throughout the state and beyond.
