Key takeaways:
– Senate Republicans in Minnesota attempted to remove Sen. Nicole Mitchell from her role due to a pending felony burglary charge.
– Trial proceedings for Mitchell have been adjourned until after the legislative session.
– Sen. Mitchell was arrested on suspicion of burglary at her stepmother’s house.
– Despite the attempts, the expulsion motion was declared out of order.
– High-ranking Democrats suggested that Mitchell should step down from her role.
The Buzz in the Senate Chambers
In a stunning twist on Monday, Minnesota’s Senate Republicans sought to remove Sen. Nicole Mitchell, a DFL-Woodbury representative, alleging her pending felony charge could hinder her ability to serve her constituents. This contentious action revolves around a burglary charge against Mitchell which many believe does not befit a senator.
Awaiting Trial Amid Legislative Sessions
Mitchell’s legal battle was set to begin this very Monday. However, her lawyers have successfully postponed proceedings until the legislative body concludes its sessions on May 19. Citing a 2007 ruling, they argued that lawmakers should ideally face legal hurdles after the legislative period, ensuring consistent constituent representation throughout the session.
Flashback to the Arrest Incident
The charges against Mitchell go back to the last spring when she found herself at the receiving end of local law enforcement’s action. Detroit Lakes officers, acting on a burglary call, arrested her at her stepmother’s house. They discovered her in the basement, bafflingly dressed in all-black attire.
Restoring Senate Integrity
Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, a Republican from Fergus Falls, proposed the expulsion motion. He contended that the decision was essential to preserve the Senate’s integrity. Rasmusson stated that the senators’ ethical code doesn’t require a criminal trial verdict. He emphasized that Mitchell’s actions had already failed to meet the high standards set for senators.
Current Senate Tie
The Senate now finds itself at a crossroads, with a neat 33-33 tie between Republicans and Democrats. This began after the demise of Sen. Kari Dziedzic, a DFL-Minneapolis representative who sadly succumbed to cancer last month. To fill Dziedzic’s vacant seat, a special election is due on Tuesday. The district, with its blue leanings, is expected to vote for a Democrat.
Failed Expulsion Motion
The Republicans’ move to expel Mitchell appears to have ruptured the bonhomie pervading the Senate’s first two weeks of the session. Bursting the bipartisan bubble, the expulsion motion was ruled out of order by Senate President Bobby Joe Champion. Following consultations with leaders of both caucuses, a 33-33 vote, including Mitchell’s, upheld his ruling.
Rasmusson’s Justification
Soon after, Rasmusson explained that his intention behind tabling the expulsion motion on Monday was Mitchell’s initial trial date. He wanted to ensure that the charge and the upcoming trial wouldn’t overshadow the Senate’s crucial business.
Democrat Concerns Over Mitchell’s Case
Many eminent Democrats, including DFL Chair Ken Martin and Gov. Tim Walz, have pressed for Mitchell’s resignation. Her own DFL colleagues have removed her from caucus meetings and stripped her of committee duties. Nevertheless, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, has stood by her, promising due process on her legal case before Senate expulsion proceedings begin.
Mitchell’s Candid Admission During Arrest
After her arrest, Mitchell had made a candid admission to a police officer. According to the charging document, she confessed to her wrongdoing and justified her actions as an attempt to retrieve a few personal items of her deceased father from her estranged stepmother’s house.
As this multifaceted saga unfolds, it remains to be seen how the legal case against Mitchell will proceed, and what impact it will have on her political career and the broader legislative landscape.