Minnesota Republicans made gains in election results, but still unclear which party will control the House

Minnesota Republicans made gains, but it was unclear early Wednesday if they would be enough to flip control of the House and break DFL control of state government, a trifecta the GOP contends led to spending increases and policy changes that went too far.

Democrats had a six-seat majority out of the 134 seats in the House heading into Election Day. Republicans were on track to flip a North Mankato seat, had an advantage in an Iron Range district and also led in the race for a Winona seat.

Other races in the 15 most competitive districts in the suburbs and greater Minnesota did not have enough results reported as of 1 a.m. Wednesday to determine which party will control the House for the next two years.

Democrats control the governor's office and won the single Senate seat on the ballot Tuesday. It was vacant because Sen. Kelly Morrison resigned to run for Congress; she won the Third District race, succeeding Rep. Dean Phillips.

Just after 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, several races were "too close to call" to determine control of the House.

"It is important to be patient while we wait for results to be finalized," Hortman said in a statement. "All eligible voters in Minnesota should have their voices heard and their votes counted."

Republicans needed to pick up four seats to flip control of the chamber and break the DFL's trifecta. They've been talking up the benefits of divided government — one that moves more slowly and does not make new programs.

"Minnesotans are ready to move on from the expensive two years of Democrat one-party rule," House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, said in a statement before the election.

Around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Minnesota Rep. Lisa Demuth posted on X that "it appears that House Republicans have broken the Democrat trifecta in Minnesota with multiple DFL targets still outstanding." Demuth cited a lead for Republican Aaron Repinski in District 26A over the DFL's Sarah Kruger, and wins for two Republicans in District 41A and 41B.

Democrats could lose two seats and still retain control. It's also possible the election could lead to a 67-67 split, with Democrats losing three seats to Republicans.

The contest played out largely in the fastest-growing Twin Cities suburbs and exurbs such as Lake Elmo, Shakopee, Lakeville, Chanhassen and Blaine, as well as in St. Cloud, Duluth and the college towns of Winona and St. Peter.

Greater Minnesota contests

Unofficial results had Republican Erica Schwartz beating incumbent DFLer Jeff Brand, who has served two nonconsecutive terms representing District 18A, which includes St. Peter and North Mankato. The seat has swung between the two parties for the past two election cycles.

DFL Rep. Gene Pelowski's retirement after serving 38 years shook up the race for House District 26A, which includes the college town of Winona. FairVote MN's Sarah Kruger, a DFLer, trailed Winona City Council Member Aaron Repinski, a Republican.

Biden carried the district by 10 points in 2020, but Republicans said the area is trending conservative.

Suburban battlegrounds

In House District 57B in Lakeville, Republican Rep. Jeff Witte won re-election in a district that sits smack in the middle of the Second Congressional District. That larger contest has meant both parties pumped resources into the area. Brian Cohn, a political newcomer, was the DFL's nominee. President Joe Biden carried the district in 2020.

Republican Wayne Johnson, a former Washington County commissioner, defeated DFLer Lucia Wroblewski, a former St. Paul police officer, in District 41A. Previously, GOP Rep. Mark Wiens won the Lake Elmo and Afton district by just 128 votes in 2022, and is retiring after one term.

In the St. Cloud area, incumbent DFLer Dan Wolgamott had a narrow lead over Republican candidate Sue Ek; the District 14B race would likely require a recount. In District 14A, GOP Rep. Bernie Perryman defeated DFL challenger Abdi Daisane.

No results were reported by midnight Tuesday in several competitive districts, including:

• House District 48B where DFL Rep. Lucy Rehm of Chanhassen was elected by just 400 votes in 2022, another of the closest contests of the midterm year. Republican Caleb Steffenhagen, a middle school history teacher at a charter school and officer in the Army National Guard, challenged her in the fast-growing district.
• Blaine's House District 32B, which is currently represented by first-term DFLer Matt Norris, who beat an incumbent Republican by just over 400 votes after the district was redrawn. The Republican Party hoped Alex Moe, who works for the Anoka County courts and is getting his law degree at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, could win the district.