On Monday, Governor Walz announced that he was calling legislators back to the Capitol on Thursday, November 12, to extend the COVID-19 peacetime emergency by 30 days. When the legislature is not in session, the Governor is required to call lawmakers back to the Capitol to provide the House and Senate an opportunity to vote to overturn the Governor’s executive authority.
On Tuesday, the Governor held a 2:00 PM press conference to make several important announcements related to the state’s strategy to combat COVID-19 as infection numbers continue to rise throughout the state. Effective at 10:00 PM on Friday, November 13, the following restrictions will be enacted via Executive order by the Governor:
Social Gatherings
- 10-person limit for indoor and outdoor gatherings.
- Three households or less, including the host.
Receptions and Similar Events
- November 27: 50 person limit
- December 11: 25 person limit
- Events may not take place between 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM.
- No change to the actual wedding, funeral, or similar planned ceremony- only the connected reception, celebration, or similar gathering.
Bars and Restaurants
- Indoor/Outdoor: 50% capacity, but no more than 150 people total.
- Counter closed for seating and service, unless counter-only service establishment.
- Patrons must be seated at tables and no bar games that require standing permitted.
- No dine-in service 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM but may remain open for delivery and take out.
In his announcement, the Governor provided details of his proposal to utilize $10 million in additional federal CARES Act funding to assist businesses affected by the restrictions. The Governor stated that the additional money would help over 1,000 businesses struggling to pay bills and workers.
October Revenue Update
On Tuesday, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released its October Revenue Review. In the report, MMB reported that year-to-date receipts are now $7.231 billion, $805 million (12.5 percent) more than projected in the prior May forecast. The November forecast will be released in early December, giving lawmakers a better picture of the state’s economic health heading into the 2021 legislative session. To view the full memo, click here.
Impact of Mail-In Ballots
Election results have continued to roll in throughout Minnesota since last Tuesday’s general election where all 201 state legislative seats were on the ballot. Republicans are poised to hold a slim, 34-33 majority in the state Senate with a last-minute flip in Senate District 14 where incumbent Senator Jerry Relph (R-St. Cloud) has been defeated by Aric Putnam (DFL-St. Cloud), and long-time Senator Dan Sparks (DFL-Austin) was defeated by Gene Dornink (R-Hayfield).
Democrats are on a path to keep a smaller-than-expected, 70-64 majority in the state House, losing five seats this year - including the seat of Agriculture Committee chairwoman Jean Poppe (DFL-Austin).
Minnesota will remain the only split legislature in the nation, which strongly coincides with election results at the U.S. Capitol. In the U.S. House of Representatives, Republicans gained 5 seats to narrow the Democratic lead margin to 215-196. In the U.S. Senate, Democrats gained one seat with John Hickenlooper flipping the Colorado seat currently held by one-term incumbent Cory Gardner. Two Senate seats are still up for grabs in Georgia as both Senate races are headed to run-offs on January 5, 2021 because no candidate reached the requisite 50% threshold required by Georgia’s state election laws. If Democrats manage to win the two open seats, the U.S. Senate would have a 50/50 split between Democrats and Republicans with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris being the tie breaker.
Below are the most recent results from some of the races that determined the makeup of Minnesota’s 92nd Legislature that will convene on January 5, 2021.
MINNESOTA’S 2020 ELECTION RESULTS
MN SENATE LEGISLATIVE RACES
Current Makeup: 35 R – 32 DFL
Makeup as of 9:00 AM Thursday, November 12
34 R – 33 DFL
2 flips to GOP
(GOP wins Little and Sparks)
3 flips to DFL
(DFL wins Anderson, P., Relph, and Hall)
SD 5 Grand Rapids
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Sen. Justin Eichorn (GOP)
Justin Eichorn (GOP)-55.57%
Rita Albrecht (DFL)-36.91%
SD 14 St. Cloud
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Sen. Jerry Relph (GOP)
Jerry Relph (GOP)-45.59%
Aric Putnam (DFL)-46.40%
SD 20 Madison Lake
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Sen. Rich Draheim (GOP)
Rich Draheim (GOP)-54.25%
Jon Olson (DFL)-39.72%
SD 25 Rochester
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Sen. David Senjem (GOP)
David Senjem (GOP)-51.21%
Sarah Flick (DFL)-48.68%
SD 26 Rochester
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Sen. Carla Nelson (GOP)
Carla Nelson (GOP)-50.85%
Aleta Borrud (DFL)49.00%
SD 27 Austin
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Dan Sparks(DFL)
Gene Dornink (GOP) 49.05%
Dan Sparks(DFL)-44.29%
SD 33 Mound
(100% Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Sen. Dave Osmek (GOP)
Dave Osmek (GOP)- 53.97%
Gretchen Piper (DFL)-45.97%
SD 34 Maple Grove
(100% Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Sen. Warren Limmer (GOP)
Warren Limmer (GOP)-50.74%
Bonnie Westlin (DFL)-49.18%
SD 38 Lino Lakes
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Sen Roger Chamberlain (GOP)
Roger Chamberlain (GOP)-52.08%
Justin Stofferahn (DFL)-47.84%
SD 39- Stillwater
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Sen. Karin Housley (GOP)
Karin Housley (GOP)-52.97%
Josiah Hill (DFL)-46.95%
SD 44 Plymouth
(100% Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Open Seat- GOP
Greg Pulles (GOP)-41.22%
Ann Johnson-Stewart (DFL)-58.74%
SD 47 Chaska
(100% Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Open Seat- GOP
Julia Coleman (GOP)-57.64%
Addie Miller (DFL)-42.25%
SD 53 Woodbury
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Sen. Susan Kent (DFL)
Mary Giuliani Stephens (GOP)-45.82%
Susan Kent (DFL)-54.08%
SD 56 Burnsville
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Sen. Dan Hall (GOP)
Dan Hall (GOP)-46.86%
Lindsey Port (DFL)-53.03%
SD 58 Lakeville
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Matt Little (DFL)
Zach Duckworth (GOP)-55.18%
Matt Little (DFL)-44.73%
MN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LEGISLATIVE RACES
Current Makeup: 75 DFL – 59 GOP
Makeup as of 9:00 AM Thursday, November 12:
70 DFL – 64 GOP
5 flips to GOP (GOP wins Persell, Tabke, Brand, Poppe, and Claflin)
5A- Bemidji
(100% Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. John Persell (DFL)/Rematch from 2018
Matt Bliss (GOP)-53.36%
John Persell (DFL)- 46.47%
5B- Grand Rapids
(100% Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Open Seat- GOP
Spencer Igo (GOP)-61.03%
Joseph Abeyta (DFL)-38.86%
6A Hibbing
(100% Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL)
Robert Farnsworth GOP-49.83%
Julie Sandstede DFL-50.06%
14A – St. Cloud
(100% Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Tama Theis (GOP)
Tama Theis (GOP)-53.93%
Tami Calhoun (DFL)-45.83%
19A St. Peter
(100% Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Jeff Brand (DFL)
Susan Akland (GOP)-50.15%
Jeff Brand (DFL)-49.68%
27B Austin
(100% Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL)
Patricia Mueller (GOP)-51.51%
Jeanne Poppe (DFL)-48.38%
33B- Deephaven
(100% Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Kelly Morrison (DFL)
Andrew Myers (GOP)-49.42%
Kelly Morrison (DFL)-50.52%
36A- Coon Rapids
(100% Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL)
Bill Maresh (GOP)-48.52%
Zack Stephenson (DFL)- 51.34%
38A Lino Lakes
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: GOP Open Seat
Don Raleigh (GOP)-53.61%
Kris Frederick (DFL)-46.31%
38B White Bear Lake
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Amy Wazlawik (DFL)
Elliot Engen (GOP)-49.76%
Amy Wazlawik (DFL)-50.12%
39B Stillwater
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Shelly Christensen (DFL)
Joe Garofalo (GOP)-49.54%
Shelly Christensen (DFL)-50.40%
47B Chanhassen
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Greg Boe (GOP)
Greg Boe (GOP)-51.55%
Dan Kessler (DFL)-48.33%
48B Eden Prairie
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL)
Holly Link (GOP)-44.96%
Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL)-55.00%
53B Woodbury
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Steve Sandell (DFL)
Kelly Jahner-Byrne (GOP)-46.83%
Steve Sandell (DFL)-53.09%
54A South St. Paul
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Anne Claflin (DFL)
Keith Franke(GOP)-51.41%
Anne Claflin (DFL)-48.46%
54B Cottage Grove
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Tony Jurgens (GOP)
Tony Jurgens (GOP)-53.54%
Kelsey Waits (DFL)-46.33%
55A Shakopee
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL)
Erik Mortenson (GOP)-47.42%
Brad Tabke (DFL)-44.99%
56A Savage
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: DFL OPEN SEAT
Pam Myhra (GOP)-48.26%
Jessica Hanson (DFL)-51.63%
56B- Lakeville
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: DFL Open Seat
Roz Peterson (GOP)-47.47%
Kaela Berg (DFL)-52.40%
58A Lakeville
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Jon Koznick (GOP)
Jon Koznick – Lakeville (GOP)-56.21%
Erin Preese (DFL)-43.72%
U.S. SENATE
Current Makeup: 2 DFL
Makeup as of 9:00 AM Thursday, November 12: 2 DFL
Statewide (6-year term)
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Sen. Tina Smith (DFL)
Jason Lewis (GOP) – 43.49%
Sen. Tina Smith (DFL) - 48.74%
U.S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Current Makeup: 5 DFL – 3 GOP
Makeup as of 9:00 AM Thursday, November 12:
4 DFL – 4 GOP
1 flip to GOP (GOP wins Peterson)
1st Congressional District
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Jim Hagedorn (GOP)
Jim Hagedorn (GOP) –48.57%
Dan Feehan (DFL) – 45.54%
2nd Congressional District
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Angie Craig (DFL)
Tyler Kistner (GOP) –45.94%
Angie Craig (DFL) – 48.16%
3rd Congressional District
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Dean Phillips (DFL)
Kendall Qualls (GOP)- 44.32%
Dean Phillips (DFL)-55.61%
4th Congressional District
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Betty McCollum
Gene Rechtzigel (GOP)- 28.98%
Betty McCollum (DFL)-63.17%
5th Congressional District
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. llhan Omar
Lacy Johnson (GOP)- 25.83%
llhan Omar (DFL)- 64.27%
6th Congressional District
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Tom Emmer (GOP)
Tom Emmer (GOP)- 65.54%
Tawnja Zahradka (DFL)- 34.33%
7th Congressional District
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Collin Peterson (DFL)
Michelle Fischbach (GOP) –53.40%
Collin Peterson (DFL) – 39.84%
8th Congressional District
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Rep. Pete Stauber (GOP)
Pete Stauber (GOP) –56.74%
Quinn Nystrom (DFL) –37.56%
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
(100% of Precincts Reporting)
Incumbent: Pres. Donald Trump
Donald Trump (GOP) – 45.28%
Joe Biden (DFL) – 52.39%
Caucuses Meet to Elect Leaders
In the House, Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) was elected to serve a second term as Speaker of the House. Meanwhile, Rep. Jaime Becker-Finn (DFL-Roseville) challenged Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley) for Majority Leader. Rep. Winkler was largely credited for coordinating the caucus election efforts that brought them into the majority in 2018 while Rep. Becker-Finn has risen to leadership in the People of Color and Indigenous (“POCI”) Caucus, a growing force within the House DFL Caucus. Rep. Liz Olson (DFL-Duluth) was again elected House Majority Whip.
Republican Minority Leader Rep. Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) was challenged by both Rep. Jim Nash (R-Waconia) and Rep. Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley). Rep. Daudt has led the Republican caucus since 2014, serving both as Minority Leader and as Speaker of the House. However, his leadership has not been without controversy as four members split off in 2019 to form the “New Republican Caucus” in protest. Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) was elected to a second term as leader of the New Republican Caucus. On Friday, House Republicans re-elected Kurt Daudt as the Minority Leader by “unanimous voice acclimation” and members will meet at a later date to choose additional leaders.
Sen. Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) was again elected to serve as Senate Majority Leader. Similarly, Sen. Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury) was re-elected by her colleagues to serve as Senate Minority Leaders. Sen. Kent challenged and replaced long-time DFL leader Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook) in 2019.
Please reach out to any of the Larkin Hoffman Government Relations team members with any questions.