Legislature Faces Further Disruption with Death, Pending Resignation

July 24, 2025

Turmoil continues to reign at the State Capitol.  

On July 21, Sen. Bruce Anderson (R- Buffalo) died unexpectedly and Sen. Nicole Mitchell (DFL-Woodbury) announced that she will resign in August following her burglary and felony possession of burglary tools conviction.  

This follows the June 14 assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) and the shooting of Sen. John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin). Hoffman is currently recovering and is expected to continue serving his district.  

Gov. Tim Walz called a special election for Speaker Emerita Hortman’s former seat on September 16. The date has yet to be set for a special election to fill the seats of Anderson and Mitchell.  

The special elections could affect the balance of power in St. Paul. Currently, with Anderson’s passing and Mitchell’s pending resignation, the DFL has a one-seat advantage in the Senate, 33-32. Both parties are expected to hold on to their seats, however. With Hortman’s death, the Republicans have a one seat-majority in the House, 67-66. 

Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger (DFL-Woodbury) is reportedly considering running for Mitchell’s seat. If she does, her House seat will need to be filled with yet another special election.  

There have already been three special elections in 2025 thus far:  Sen. Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis) died of cancer in December; early in the session, Sen. Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) resigned after he was arrested on felony charges; and the resignation of Representative-elect Curtis Johnson (DFL – Roseville) after being elected to serve in a district in which he did not live.