Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s (D-MN) political machine hit a major roadblock after a Democrat candidate was ruled ineligible to serve, handing Republicans a significant victory and opening the door for a shift in control of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
A Ramsey County District Court judge ruled Friday that newly elected Democrat Curtis Johnson did not meet residency requirements and is, therefore, ineligible to represent Minnesota House District 40B as reported by The Minnesota Star Tribune. The decision came after Republican Paul Wikstrom filed a challenge, arguing that Johnson’s claimed residency at a Rice Street apartment was fabricated.
In his ruling, Judge Leonardo Castro sided with Wikstrom, stating that Johnson had failed to establish the residency necessary to hold office. “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,” Castro wrote.
“The reasons for the (residency) mandate are obvious and axiomatic to our representative form of government,” he continued. “Obtaining a lease and changing your voter registration does not satisfy this requirement; meaningful physical presence is required to show genuine intent to reside in the district. The people of 40B deserve no