Republicans won the Minnesota House after a judge ruled that Democrat state representative-elect Curtis Johnson “did not meet the residency requirements and is not eligible to serve as the representative for Minnesota House District 40B.”
“Curtis Johnson is enjoined from taking the oath of office and from acting as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for House District 40B,” the judge wrote.
The judge’s decision comes as the Minnesota House of Representatives is tied at 67-67.
Johnson’s Republican opponent, Paul Wikstrum, filed a lawsuit arguing Johnson did not meet the residency requirements.
During an evidentiary hearing, Wikstrum proved Johnson lived in his home outside of district 40B, not in the apartment he was renting.
Alpha News reported:
A Ramsey County judge issued an order on Friday finding that a DFL legislator-elect “did not meet the residence requirements” to serve as the representative for a north metro district and “is enjoined from taking the oath of office” as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
The decision from Judge Leonardo Castro was released Friday morning.
Republican legislative candidate Paul Wikstrum filed the lawsuit last month, alleging that Johnson never established residency in House District 40B. If Johnson