The clash in St. Paul over who controls the state House is now in court, after Democrats filed a lawsuit accusing Republicans of acting unlawfully when they convened for session as a majority and elected a speaker.

Steve Simon, who as secretary of state initiates the first House proceedings, ruled there was not a quorum present and adjourned the session. Republicans argued he couldn’t do that.

Following the contentious first day of the 2025 Minnesota Legislative session, where members of the DFL failed to show, partisan tensions are rising as lawmakers claim House Republicans attempted to select a speaker.

On January 14, 2025, the DFL filed a lawsuit asking the state Supreme Court to declare that Republicans acted unlawfully when they organized the house in the absence of a quorum.

Minnesota state leaders head into day two of the 2025 legislative session, but not everyone is in attendance. Many DFL members continue to boycott the start of the session as they argue a special election needs to take place before the body can fairly move forward.

State Rep. Brad Tabke, a DFL Minnesota House incumbent who narrowly won reelection, should be able to begin a new term, a judge ruled Tuesday — despite a GOP election challenge centering on a pool of ballots that were cast but never counted.

The Democratic lawmakers boycotted the opening of the 2025 session, while the Republicans declared a quorum and elected a speaker.

Half the Minnesota House chamber stands empty as DFL lawmakers made good on their threats to not show up for the opening session at the State Capitol in St. Paul on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Republicans moved ahead Tuesday and elected D.

With lawmakers set to convene for the 2025 Minnesota legislative session at noon Tuesday, it remained unclear whether Democratic-Farmer-Labor and Republican House lawmakers will reach a power-sharing agreement to avoid a DFL walkout.

Minnesota House Democrats said Sunday that all state representatives-elect had been sworn into office early by a district court judge as the caucus prepares to boycott the start the legislative session Tuesday.

As the clock struck noon on Tuesday, all desks were empty in the DFL half of the House chamber; Republicans pressed ahead declaring a quorum.