Minnesota House Democrats boycott first day of session, GOP meets anyway

The Senate approved Sens. Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis, and Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, to serve as co-presiding officers of the body while they are in a 33-33 tie. The DFL is expected to resume control of the chamber after a Jan. 28 special election to fill the seat that was held by the late Sen. Kari Dziedzic, DFL-Minneapolis.

Senators lauded themselves for their comity in contrast to the House. “Our commitment is to continue to work together,” Champion said.

Miller pledged to “preside with respect and dignity that Minnesotans expect and deserve.”

The most contentious point of disagreement in the House revolves around whether to seat Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee. Republicans contested Tabke’s 14-vote election victory in court after Scott County elections officials lost 20 absentee ballots in one precinct. GOP lawmakers had indicated they would use their temporary one-seat advantage in the House to elect a speaker and take control of committees for the next two years, and possibly refuse to seat Tabke.

“They are trying to steal the election from the voters in Shakopee,” said Tabke, speaking from the Scott County Government Center on Tuesday while surrounded by voters in the district. “If any of our members had entered the Capitol today, all of these voters’ votes would have been revoked.”