UPDATE: The leader of House DFLers say Democrats will boycott the Minnesota legislative session on Tuesday.
“Given Republican statements this morning indicating their intent to ignore the election results and the court’s decision, Democrats have no other recourse to protect the will of the voters than to deny quorum until the special election in 40B has concluded and that new member is sworn in. Democrats are united in our will to fight Republican efforts to kick Representative Brad Tabke out of the Minnesota House. We can’t allow Republicans to engage in this unprecedented abuse of power, and every tool at our disposal to block it,” DFL Speaker Designate Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park said.
SHAKOPEE, Minn. – A judge declares DFL State Representative Brad Tabke the winner of a Shakopee area State House seat after the Republican Party of Minnesota filed an election contest over 21 missing votes.
The judge says Tabke remains the candidate with the most votes legally cast in the district, the election is not invalid and an injunction or special election is not warranted or ordered. Tabke beat Republican Aaron Paul by 14 votes.
Scott County officials said the ballots were likely thrown away and likely won’t be recovered.
On The Al Travis Show January 7, Republican Speaker Designate Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring said Tabke may not be welcome in the House once the session begins Tuesday.
“We need a new election. I am hopeful that the courts will decide that way, if they don’t, until there is a new election, and it is truly decided a fair election and integrity there, we should not be seating that representative regardless if it was a Democrat or Republican.
Under the Minnesota Constitution, the House and Senate are given the power to seat members and rule on election contests.
“Allowing this decision to stand would set the precedent moving forward that voters must violate their fundamental right to a secret ballot in order to clear up cases where ballots are destroyed, and may increase the likelihood of bad actors choosing to destroy certain sets of ballots in tight races,” Demuth said in a statement.
https://www.facebook.com/AlTravisimt/videos/1430019257958574
https://x.com/BradTabke/status/1879175971821277460
