A Ramsey County District Court judge recently disqualified a Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party candidate from assuming his elected office, citing inadequate residency qualifications.

According to Breitbart, the ruling against Curtis Johnson for not meeting residency requirements prevents him from being sworn into the Minnesota House, shifting control to the Republicans.

Judge Leonardo Castro ruled Curtis Johnson, who had won the election to represent District 40B in the Minnesota House, ineligible. The decision was based on Johnson not satisfying the six-month residency prerequisite.

Judge Castro Clarifies The Importance Of Residency Requirements

Judge Castro confirmed Johnson's ineligibility on Friday, announcing that he had not lived in the district long enough before the election. This ruling was critical as it directly impacted the balance of power within the state legislature.

With Johnson disqualified, the Minnesota House now finds itself with a Republican majority by a single seat. This change ends what was previously a 67-67 tie between the two major parties.

Although the Republicans now hold the majority, their power is somewhat limited. They need at least 68 votes to pass legislation, which means they cannot do so without some support from DFL members.

Election Challenge Leads To Critical Ruling

The challenge to Johnson’s eligibility came from his Republican opponent, Paul Wikstrom. Wikstrom filed a legal challenge after the November election, questioning Johnson’s residency qualifications.

During the proceedings, Wikstrom's campaign provided evidence, including photos and videos, showing Johnson’s car at a residence outside the district in Little Canada. This evidence was crucial in proving Johnson did not meet the required residency period.

Johnson tried to counter the challenge by providing documentation from his apartment within the district, but Judge Castro found the evidence presented by Wikstrom to be more convincing.

Legal Ramifications And Next Steps

Judge Castro, in his ruling, emphasized the non-negotiable nature of the residency requirements. He stated, “This is not a suggestion nor an inconvenience. The reasons for the mandate are obvious and axiomatic to our representative form of government.”

He further added, “Contestant Paul Wikstrom has proven by clear and convincing evidence that Curtis Johnson did not reside in Minnesota House District 40B for the entirety of the six months prior to the general election. Curtis Johnson’s own testimony revealed he did not reside and maintain a regular abode within House District 40B before mid-October 2024.”

Johnson’s inability to be sworn in on January 14, 2025, as previously scheduled, means that the seat will remain vacant until filled according to law.

Implications For Minnesota House Operations

The shift in majority to the Republicans allows them to select the Speaker of the House and control the operational agenda of the chamber. However, they limit their legislative power without cross-party cooperation.

This event could have significant implications for the legislative session, affecting both the agenda and the dynamics of power within the Minnesota House.

Johnson has the option to appeal Judge Castro’s decision, which could add another layer of legal proceedings to this political saga