Control of the Minnesota House now in question

A judge on Friday granted a Republican candidate’s contest of the results of a Minnesota House race after finding his Democratic opponent did not establish residency in House District 40B.

Prior to Friday’s ruling, the Minnesota House was projected to be evenly split 67-67 between Democrats and Republicans. This decision now throws the balance of power in limbo.

According to Hubbard Broadcasting’s KSTP, DFL candidate Curtis Johnson won the election in the district that includes parts of Roseville and Shoreview by more than 7,500 votes, but his opponent, Republican Paul Wikstrom, found Johnson was still living in Little Canada in the months leading up to the event.

State law requires candidates to reside in the district they represent for at least six months before the general election.

Johnson had signed a lease at a Roseville apartment complex earlier in the year, but Wikstrom’s campaign built a body of evidence suggesting he had never moved in. Investigators took photos of Johnson’s car, a blue Mitsubishi, consistently parked in the driveway of the home he and his wife own in Little Canada.

KSTP reports that based on testimony from Johnson and witnesses who had surveilled Johnson’s whereabouts, District Judge Leonardo Castro found Johnson “spent scant time” at the Roseville apartment until Oct. 15.

Castro’s order enjoins Johnson from taking the oath of office and representing House District 40B.

Johnson has 10 days to appeal the ruling to the Minnesota Supreme Court. If it’s upheld, the matter goes to the Minnesota House of Representatives.

House GOP Leader Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, celebrated the ruling.

“With the overwhelming evidence we heard during the trial that the Democrat candidate in Roseville never lived in the district, I applaud the court’s decision to grant the election contest and look forward to ensuring that a valid candidate represents District 40B during the upcoming legislative session,” Demuth said in a statement. “This is a clear reminder that laws matter, and integrity in the election process is non-negotiable.”

KSTP’s 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has reached out to the DFL for comment and is awaiting a response.

There is another election contest being considered in House District 54A, where DFL incumbent Rep. Brad Tabke won by 14 votes over Republican Aaron Paul — but Scott County election officials say 21 ballots in that race are unaccounted for.