DFL Reps Sworn in Early, Threaten to Withhold Quorum

DFL State Representatives early swearing-in ceremony at the Minnesota History Center, on January 12, 2025, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (DFL House Caucus).

DFL Representatives are sworn in early, as they plan not to show up to the Capitol until they secure a power sharing agreement with House Republicans.

With control over the Minnesota House of Representatives still uncertain, and negotiations between parties at a standstill, DFL Representatives chose to take their oaths of office early. The late Sunday press release marks a divergence from how most representative-elects take their oaths on the first day of the legislative session.

Republican’s Speaker-designate, Rep. Lisa Demuth called the choice “a slap in the face to the institution and to every voter who expects their elected officials to act in good faith and uphold the integrity of the legislative process.”

“Taking the oath of office early in a location outside the state Capitol is not unprecedented,” said the DFL’s press release, “multiple instances are recorded in the House Journal.”

• -January 3, 1979, Representative Richard J. Kostohryz of district 50B
• -January 3, 1989, Representative James I. Rice of district 57A
• -January 7, 1991, James I. Rice was again administered the oath of office

While individuals have done it before, the early swearing-in of several representatives outside of a session does appear to be a first.

Minnesotans elected 67 representatives from each party in the November election. The tie seemed to force cooperation between Republican and DFL reps, who began forming co-chairs for House positions and drafting a power-sharing agreement.

But in late December the DFL winner of District 40B Curtis Johnson, was ruled ineligible due to living outside of the district. Governor Tim Walz (DFL) ordered a special election to fill the vacancy for January 28, 2025, two weeks after the start of the session.

The resulting, albeit temporary, imbalance almost immediately caused whatever power-sharing agreement did exist to crumble. Republicans have further taken issue with the way Gov. Walz called the special election for District 40B, a move that could extend the election and the party’s small majority.

While Republicans are stating their intent to act in the majority, DFL representatives are threatening not to show up on Tuesday. The move would deny the 68-member quorum required to pass bills, an attempt by the DFL to force the resurrection of a power-sharing agreement.

“There are some things that Republicans could do with (a) 67 seat majority,” said Professor Larry Jacobs, founder and director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance (CSPG) at the University of Minnesota. “Some have talked about using that 67-seat majority to elect the speaker, who would be the speaker for the session.”

Less than 48 hours away from the first day of the session, neither side of the aisle appears ready to come to the table.