Republicans hold House, expand their majority

Republicans retained control of the Minnesota House of Representatives on Election Day, enlarging their majority by three seats to 76-57.

Minnesota voters also appear to have handed control of the Senate to Republicans, giving the party full legislative control for the first time since 2011-12. Republicans picked up six seats Tuesday to grab a 34-33 advantage. Two recounts are expected.

“We really feel that voters spoke very loud and very clear,” House Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) said during a Wednesday news conference. “That they want a check and balance on Gov. [Mark] Dayton’s last two years in office.”

MORE Learn more about the new makeup of the Minnesota House with our 2016 Election Directory 

Republicans again rode a wave of victories in rural areas of the state in expanding its hold on the House, and picked up four surprise seats in the Twin Cities suburbs.

A freshman class of 23 new members is scheduled to take their seats when the 90th Legislative Session begins Jan. 3, 2017.

WATCH Video of House Republican post-election news conference on YouTube

The State Canvassing Board is scheduled to certify the election results Nov. 29.

One House seat remains to be filled. Voters in District 32B are scheduled to go to the polls for a special election Feb. 14, 2017. The state Supreme Court ruled in September that incumbent Rep. Bob Barrett (R-Taylors Falls) was ineligible to run because he doesn’t live in the district.

What’s next?

House Republican and House DFL caucuses are expected to elect their leadership during organizational meetings later this week. Each caucus can nominate a speaker-designate — the House speaker is elected by a vote of the full House on the first day of session — and the Republican caucus will elect a majority leader and majority whip. The DFL party is expected to elect a minority leader and minority whip.

DFLers are scheduled to meet Thursday night; Republicans Friday.

The speaker-designate is required to establish the House standing committee structure no later than 30 days before the start of the 2017 session. Committee assignments generally occur after that announcement. 

MORE Roster of 2017-2018 Minnesota House of Representatives members-elect