Republican motion to expel Sen. Mitchell fails

Republicans in the Minnesota State Senate brought forward a motion to expel Sen. Nicole Mitchell (DFL-Woodbury) on Monday, but it failed on a procedural vote, with all the Democrats voting against taking up the motion to expel her.

A Becker County judge recently granted Mitchell’s request to delay her jury trial until after the 2025 legislative session is over.

“Her matter is not a matter for the Minnesota Senate,” said DFL Caucus Leader Erin Murphy.

“This debate today is about fundamental principles — the rule of law, due process, representation, and your ability to have a trial by jurors, by your peers. We are committed to those fundamental principals, those fundamental laws, and that is why today’s debate ended the way it did,” Murphy said to reporters.

Republicans called Michell’s latest actions an abuse of power.

“Senator Mitchell is abusing her status as a Senator to delay her trial and deny justice for her victim. Last year we heard time and time again how she deserves her day in court before we can decide on her status, and she has played both the judicial system and the Senate Rules to her own – and only her own – advantage,” Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) said.

Mitchell, who is accused of breaking into her stepmother’s Detroit Lakes home last April, was originally scheduled to stand trial beginning on Jan. 27. Court records now show her next court appearance is a settlement conference on June 9 and her jury trial will begin on June 16.

Mitchell pleaded not guilty to one count of burglary in August.

This news comes as the State Senate is currently tied 33-33 after the death of DFL Sen. Kari Dziedzic. The special election to fill her seat will take place this Tuesday.

Last year, a motion to expel Mitchell also failed on party lines.

Click here for KSTP’s full coverage of the burglary case against Nicole Mitchell.