Minnesota House Tied After District 40B Election

The Minnesota House of Representatives is set to return to a 67-67 tie following a special election in District 40B, where Democrat David Gottfried defeated Republican Paul Wikstrom. This outcome reinstates a power-sharing agreement, with committees reverting to co-chairs and requiring bipartisan cooperation for legislative progress. The tie poses challenges, especially with a projected $6 billion budget deficit for 2028-29, complicating efforts to pass a balanced budget. The election followed a vacancy created when a judge disqualified DFL Rep.-elect Curtis Johnson for failing residency requirements, temporarily giving Republicans a one-seat advantage. The district, which leans Democratic, previously saw Curtis Johnson winning 65% of votes in the November election. This result emphasizes the importance of bipartisan collaboration in the legislative session, as both parties will need to negotiate to pass significant legislation.