She praised his gift for “changing hearts and minds through hard work and countless conversations” — a skill that helped him win in a district once firmly rooted in DFL territory.
Now, Governor Tim Walz (DFL) faces the task of calling a special election to fill not only his vacant seat, but also that of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who, along with her husband, was tragically killed in a politically motivated attack last month.
The upheaval doesn’t stop there. Just weeks ago, State Senator Nicole Mitchell (DFL) was convicted of felony burglary, more than a year after being caught breaking into her stepmother’s home. The trial drew intense scrutiny and bipartisan calls for her resignation, though some defended her right to due process. The conviction carries a potential sentence ranging from six months to 20 years, according to Fox News.
“Senator Mitchell has been afforded due process, a trial by a jury of her peers, and that jury has delivered a verdict. I am relieved to see the end of Senator Mitchell’s trial. The case’s resolution brings clarity to the situation,” DFL Chair Ken Martin said in a statement following the verdict.
Mitchell herself had previously told colleagues that she would resign if convicted — a pledge party leaders now expect her to honor. “Our caucus remains focused on the issues that matter most to Minnesota families and communities,” added DFL leader Erin Murphy.
Mitchell was first arrested in April 2024 after entering her stepmother’s home. She claimed she only sought to retrieve personal belongings from her late father, insisting her stepmother, Carol Mitchell, was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
