Election will decide balance of power at divided Minnesota Legislature

The Minnesota State Capitol is home to the only divided state legislature in the country and with all 201 seats up for grabs this November, both Democrats and Republicans are clamoring for the upper hand.

The results of the election could determine how the state handles a swath of big issues facing Gov. Tim Walz and lawmakers: A projected $5 billion deficit; federal funding and redistricting battles that come with the 2020 Census results; a continued response to the coronavirus pandemic– not to mention key projects for each party. DFL lawmakers say they want to create better access to health care, while Republicans are focused on public safety.

Republicans control the Minnesota Senate by three seats and the DFL has a 16-seat stronghold on the House. Both parties believe they’re primed to hold their status– or, if you ask the minority, there’s a belief they can flip the chamber.

"As we look at the landscape around the Metro area, obviously we lost the entire ring around the suburbs [in 2018]," House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) said. "Those races are really set to flip back."

"These branches of government should be working together because it’s the only divided Legislature in the country– and [Republicans] have chosen not to do that," Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury) said. "And Minnesotans hear that."

Localizing national politics has become part of campaigns, too. Democrats are echoing the Democratic Party’s call to address climate change and Republicans are following President Donald Trump’s demand for "law and order."

Generally speaking, Greater Minnesota voters are leaning toward voting for Trump and voters in Minneapolis and St. Paul are more likely to vote for former Vice President Joe Biden. Republicans believe they can make larger gains than 2016 in Greater Minnesota and the DFL believes its base in the Twin Cities are more energized to vote against Trump.

But it could be the suburbs– both in Minnesota and across the country– where the presidential election is decided. Control over the state legislature might also be won– and lost– in the Twin Cities suburbs, from White Bear Lake and Stillwater, to Lakeville and Plymouth.

"Going into the 2020 election, one thing that’s clear is that Donald Trump is a deeply unpopular President in the state of Minnesota, and specifically, the suburban districts," House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. "The suburban districts where we currently hold [legislative seats], Joe Biden has a considerable lead and that’s a benefit to our candidates."

If the DFL can hang onto its majority in the House– a chamber that’s flipped party control in four of the past five election cycles– and its Senate candidates can find ways to grab two new seats, Minnesota will be in one-party rule for the first time since 2014.

"Minnesotans are used to and they like divided government," Daudt said. "I think they like that check-and-balance. They like us to work together."