Special Election in Minnesota Could Shift House Control

A special election taking place on Tuesday in Minnesota will determine who fills the seat of the late House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who was tragically assassinated in June. This election is crucial not only for the district but also for the balance of power in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

The seat became vacant following the fatal shooting of Hortman and her husband by a man impersonating a police officer in their home in Brooklyn Park, a suburb located northwest of Minneapolis. The June 14 attack also injured another legislator and his wife, highlighting the escalating concern over political violence in the area.

Vance Boelter, the alleged assailant, faces multiple charges, including federal and state murder and attempted murder. The election to replace Hortman has gained additional significance in the wake of another recent political assassination, that of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah.

Candidates and Election Context

In the upcoming election, Xp Lee, a former member of the Brooklyn Park City Council and the Democratic candidate, will face off against Republican Ruth Bittner, a local real estate agent. Lee won a Democratic primary in August with a comfortable margin, while Bittner was the only Republican on the ballot in this heavily Democratic district.

The stakes are high for both candidates. Lee aims to bring a sense of calm to a district shaken by recent violence, stating his desire to address the “charged atmosphere” that has developed. Conversely, Bittner expressed that while the violence made her reconsider her candidacy, she believes solutions cannot emerge from a place of fear.

A victory for Lee would restore a 67-67 tie in the House, allowing for a power-sharing agreement similar to one in place during the 2025 legislative session. This arrangement was established after the 2024 elections saw House Democrats lose their majority. Under the agreement, Hortman relinquished her role as speaker, paving the way for Republican Lisa Demuth to take over the position while Hortman assumed the title of speaker emerita.

Implications for Minnesota Politics

If Bittner secures a win, it would grant Republicans control of the House for the first time since 2018, significantly enhancing their leverage against Democratic Governor Tim Walz and a Senate narrowly held by Democrats. The recent violence surrounding the election has raised apprehensions among voters about the state of political discourse and safety.

In addition to this special election, two more will take place on November 4 for Minnesota Senate districts. One of these elections is to fill the seat vacated by Nicole Mitchell, a Democratic senator from the St. Paul suburb of Woodbury, who resigned following a burglary conviction. The other will fill the seat of Republican senator Bruce Anderson, who passed away in July. The outcomes of these elections are not expected to alter the party balance in the Senate due to the political leanings of the respective districts.

As the election approaches, the focus remains not only on the candidates but also on the broader implications for Minnesota’s political landscape. Voters are keenly aware that this election could shape the legislative dynamics in a state grappling with issues of safety and representation.