Overview

• Sen. Nicole Mitchell filed her resignation on July 25, stepping down ahead of her originally planned August 4 departure after being convicted of first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools.
• Her departure empowers Governor Tim Walz to call a special election alongside one for the late Sen. Bruce Anderson’s seat, creating a record cycle of legislative special elections.
• The Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party now holds a narrow 33–32 majority in the Senate, putting control of the chamber on the line in the upcoming contests.
• State Representatives Ethan Cha and Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger have both announced bids for Mitchell’s vacated district, setting up an intraparty primary before the general special election.
• Mitchell is scheduled to be sentenced on September 10, facing a potential sentence of up to 20 years as she finalizes outstanding legislative and personal affairs.