Key Takeaways:
– District Court Judge Leonardo Castro invalidates Curtis Johnson’s candidacy due to unmet residency requirements.
– Minnesota’s House District 40B to be filled via a special election.
– Judge Castro establishes physical presence as a requirement for residency.
– The temporary Republican majority could influence the election of House leaders.
Residency Requirement Results in Controversial Ruling
A recent decision by District Court Judge Leonardo Castro has created a stir in Minnesota politics. Democrat Curtis Johnson, he ruled, doesn’t meet the residency requirement to serve in the Minnesota House. Castro ordered that Johnson couldn’t receive an election certificate and called for a special election to fill the seat.
Judge Castro’s Opinion
In his opinion, Judge Castro was firm and clear. Johnson, he said, failed to live in the district he plans to serve for six months before the November election. Castro emphasized that merely acquiring a lease or changing your voter registration doesn’t fulfill this residency requirement. The distinction lies in meaningful physical presence. In short, a candidate’s real intent to reside in the district can only be demonstrated by physically living there. As Castro underscored, the citizens of District 40B deserve nothing less.
Effects of the Ruling
Johnson has the option to appeal the decision to the Minnesota Supreme Court. Still, for now, his absence pushes House Republicans into a slight majority of 67-66. House District 40B is safely a DFL seat, which Johnson won by a wide margin last month. Despite this, holding a special election will take some time.
While this happens, the Republicans could take advantage of their fleeting majority. Before a special election in 40B happens, they could use this majority to elect a House speaker and committee chairs. The most probable candidate for the speaker of the House is Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, who guided Republicans to their current majority.
Demuth and the Future of the Speakership
A reversal by the Supreme Court isn’t impossible. However, changing the speakership mid-legislative session is extremely rare. Because of this, if the 68-vote requirement to oust the speaker isn’t met, Demuth will most likely hold onto her position. This can happen even if a special election results in a tie, provided she can secure the Republican support.
What led to the Ruling?
The contestation of the election came from Johnson’s GOP opponent, Paul Wikstrom. After conducting surveillance of Johnson, Wikstrom’s campaign alleged that Johnson didn’t actually live in the district. They suggested that he primarily resided in a Little Canada home (outside the district). Supposedly, Johnson only rented a studio apartment in the district (Roseville) to create a semblance of living there.
The surveillance carried out by Wikstrom’s team involved closely monitoring Johnson’s movements. They claimed Johnson frequented his Little Canada home, which led to further investigation. Wikstrom’s campaign even reached out to utility providers to verify services at the Roseville apartment, with the notion based on their impressions, that no utilities were set up. A staffer’s visit to the apartment confirming its dusty, unused state added weight to these findings.
In conclusion, the recent judgment against Curtis Johnson, although it could be appealed, has stirred up Minnesota’s political scene. The temporary GOP majority and the upcoming special election for District 40B have created an environment of uncertainty and speculation.