The dust has finally settled on the 2024 elections, and I’m sure you’re as relieved as I am not to see ads popping up on every screen and corner. There has been a lot of ink spilled about the presidential election, so let’s dive into what happened in our legislative elections and why it matters.
In the Senate, Democrats held on to their narrow 34-33 majority by winning a special election for Kelly Morrison’s seat after the Minnetonka-area Democrat left to run for Congress. But the real shift happened in the House. Republicans picked up three seats, turning a 70-64 Democratic majority into a rare and surprising 67-67 tie.
This 67-67 split marks the first House tie in Minnesota since 1979. Now, Democratic leader Melissa Hortman and Republican leader Lisa Demuth, and their leadership teams, must forge a power-sharing agreement that respects this new balance. Every committee will split evenly between the two parties, so both sides need to work together to get anything done. True bipartisan cooperation will be required.
And that is really the biggest takeaway from the election, at least for Minnesota politics. The Democratic “trifecta” – the two years of extreme single-party control across the House, Senate, and Governor’s office – is over.
Why does this matter? For those two years, Democrats shut out Republican voices – and the voices of nearly half of Minnesota residents. They pushed a radical agenda without bipartisan support, ignoring minority input at every turn. The Democrats focused on the demands of their most extreme base, leaving half of Minnesota snubbed and unheard.
The 2024 session exposed just how far they took this disregard for cooperation. In a jaw-dropping move, Democrats rammed a 1,432-page omnibus bill through at the last minute – throwing out every illusion of transparency, cutting off debate, and giving lawmakers – not to mention the public – no time to review it. This rushed approach didn’t just bend Senate rules; it flagrantly broke them. Democrats used their majority to bulldoze nearly half the state.
That embarrassing and insulting behavior is over.
When leaders ignore the basic principles of transparency, open debate, and respect, they don’t just undermine good governance – they destroy public trust. Minnesotans deserve leaders who honor our institutions and place the public’s interests above their own political agendas.
With a tied House we have an opportunity to change course. We can bring back bipartisanship and make sure we consider a wide range of ideas and perspectives. Let’s get back to the way Minnesota’s legislature was meant to operate – with cooperation, respect, and a commitment to serve everyone in the state.
This isn’t just an opportunity; it’s our responsibility. Every Minnesotan deserves to be heard.
Contact me
Your feedback, ideas, and concerns are what allow me to serve you to the best of my ability. Please share your thoughts with me any time at sen.bill.lieske@mnsenate.gov or 651-296-5019.
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It is a privilege to serve you!
Bill