Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s political machine suffered a major blow after a Ramsey County District Court judge ruled that newly elected Democrat Curtis Johnson was ineligible to serve in the state legislature due to residency violations. This ruling hands Republicans a crucial victory and sets the stage for a potential GOP takeover of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Judge Leonardo Castro determined that Johnson, who was elected to represent Minnesota House District 40B, did not meet the state’s residency requirements. The decision came in response to a legal challenge filed by Republican candidate Paul Wikstrom, who alleged that Johnson’s claimed residence at a Roseville apartment was fabricated.
“Curtis Johnson is enjoined from taking the oath of office and from acting as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for House District 40B,” Castro wrote in his ruling. He emphasized that “meaningful physical presence” is required to establish residency, adding that voters in the district deserve genuine representation.
The court’s decision is a political setback for Governor Walz and Minnesota Democrats, who had anticipated maintaining their legislative control. The ruling leaves House Republicans with a 67–66 edge, opening the door for a GOP majority that could complicate Walz’s second-term agenda.
Wikstrom’s challenge was supported by evidence that Johnson did not live in the district he sought to represent. His campaign team contacted utility providers and inspected the alleged residence, finding no signs of occupancy. “The apartment door was dusty and lacked evidence of recent activity,” Wikstrom’s affidavit stated.
The decision has sparked criticism of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party’s (DFL) vetting process and raised questions about transparency. Governor Walz, already under scrutiny for his role as Kamala Harris’s running mate in their failed presidential bid, faces growing pressure to address these lapses.
Walz’s national ambitions have come at a cost back home, with Minnesota’s education standards declining and financial mismanagement allegations, including oversight failures in a massive child nutrition fraud scandal. His leadership has also faced criticism for being out of touch with key voter groups, further weakening his standing.
Republicans, emboldened by this victory, are poised to leverage their newfound advantage in the Minnesota House. As Rep. Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) stated, “This is a clear reminder that laws matter, and integrity in the election process is non-negotiable.”
With control of the Minnesota House now within their grasp, Republicans have an opportunity to reshape the state’s legislative priorities, dealing another blow to Walz’s already embattled administration.
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