Senator Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) today announced that he has formally filed a complaint with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board (CFB) regarding a potential conflict of interest involving Senator Nicole Mitchell (DFL-Woodbury). 

“Senator Mitchell voted on a matter that directly impacted her income and continued employment,” said Drazkowski. “Minnesotans expect public officials to follow the same ethical standards they are held to. When those standards are compromised, it erodes public trust in our democratic institutions. To any reasonable person, this vote was definitely a conflict of interest. I urge the CFB to give this complaint their full consideration and determine that this vote was a clear conflict of interest under Minnesota law.” 

The complaint, submitted on April 17, 2025, centers around Senator Mitchell’s participation in a Senate vote on January 27, 2025, that directly affected her status as a member of the legislature. During that session, the Senate considered a motion to expel Senator Mitchell. When the presiding officer ruled the motion out of order, Senator Mitchell voted to uphold that ruling—effectively voting to preserve her position and its accompanying salary and benefits. At the time, the chamber was tied 33 Republicans to 33 Democrats. Had Sen. Mitchell acknowledged the conflict and abstained from the vote, the President’s ruling would have been overturned and the the motion to expel would have been brought to the floor for a vote.  

Senator Drazkowski asserts that Senator Mitchell’s vote constituted a personal financial conflict of interest and should have triggered disclosure and recusal under Minnesota State Statute 10A.07. The statute, which governs conflicts of interest for public officials, requires officials to avoid participating in matters where they have a significant financial interest.  

The Senate Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct reviewed the matter earlier this year but was unable to reach a majority decision. Because Minnesota Statute 10A.07 operates independently of Senate Rules and falls under the jurisdiction of the CFB, Senator Drazkowski filed the complaint to seek an independent review. 

The CFB has acknowledged receipt of the complaint. While the Board has not yet confirmed whether the matter will be placed on its agenda, it is expected to announce the agenda for its May 7, 2025, meeting on May 1. Senator Drazkowski is hopeful that the Board will take up the complaint under its authority granted by Minnesota Statute 10A.07.  

“Minnesota’s ethics laws exist to ensure that public service is conducted with transparency and integrity,” Drazkowski said. “This complaint is about upholding those values on behalf of the people of our state.” 

For more information on Minnesota Statute 10A.07, visit: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/10A.07 

A copy of the complaint is attached.