Last week, a Ramsey County judge disqualified Representative-elect Curtis Johnson on residency grounds amid a challenge by his Republican opponent. The outcome gives Republicans a 67-66 edge in the Minnesota House until the seat is filled in a special election. “Never seen something like this,” said Stu Lourey, government relations director, Minnesota Farmers Union. “This is a budget year and we need to pass a new biannual budget for the Department of Agriculture, for education, transportation, everything that state government does. We remain hopeful that even with these challenges, folks will find that bipartisanship and come together for a good budget at the end of the year.” The session starts on January 14th. The special election will be held January 28th.
