12 Feb Minnesota, Mini-Sense
By popular demand, I am diverging from my typical focus on Washington, D.C. and the “idiosyncrasies” (to put it kindly) of America’s federal government, to shine my spotlight on the recent shenanigans in St. Paul, Minnesota. Those of you who share my warmth-lacking state may have heard about what goes on at our Capitol. For the bulk of my readers, I am somewhat embarrassed to tell you, but my right-thinking fellow Minnesotans insist that I opine.
Minnesota, home of Prince, Garrison Keillor, Joe Mauer, Walter Mondale, and Bob Dylan, among other luminaries, may have more unprincipled, hyper-partisan misfits in its state legislature this winter than it had mosquitos last summer (granted, mosquito populations do seem to have declined in the past few years).
Malfeasance, Minnesota (Not) Nice Style
By way of introduction, a quick quiz: Which of the following describes conduct by someone elected to the Minnesota legislature since 2022?
a. Arrested for breaking into her stepmother’s home at 4 a.m., while wearing all black, to retrieve some “things”
b. Was nominated for, ran, and won a seat to represent a Roseville district where he claimed to live but never did actually live there
c. Spent an entire $18 billion state surplus in one year
d. Added 37 percent to Minnesota’s budget
e. Along with 65 colleagues, refused to show up at the legislative sessions for more than a month (while drawing full pay)
f. All of the above
Of course, the answer is f, as in failure, flunkies, and fools.
Now, the most politically savvy readers will be quick to catch the fact that all of the above involved Democrats. Before anyone gets too self-righteous, however, please recall that two Minnesota Republican legislators were cited for “making out” – that’s a direct quote from the law enforcement report – in a car at a regional park. Both were married to other people. The same family-values-touting state GOP also nominated Royce White for the U.S. Senate in 2024. And, no Minnesota Republican candidate has won a statewide election since 2006, with the party losing 28 consecutive races.
My main attention here is on the ridiculous machinations in answer e – the refusal of DFL legislators to legislate. (Don’t get me started on how silly it is for their party to cling to the “Democrat Farmer Labor” moniker, when rural and blue-collar voters largely have abandoned the DFL.)
The short version of why all 66 DFL members boycotted the January 2025 legislative sessions was that their “leaders” instructed them to do so. This raises one of my major political pet peeves: the legislative caucuses in both major parties seem to act at the behest of party “whips” rather than in the best interests of their constituents. I am not all that confident the house Republicans wouldn’t have done the same thing. Such an approach fails to fulfill my leadership principle of service.
You may be asking why DFL leaders told the legislators to stay away. That’s simple; it was their strategy to deprive the House of a quorum. But . . . why? Why would they want to prevent a quorum? Oh, that was because the DFL wanted to block any votes from being taken while Republicans controlled the proceedings with a 67-66 majority (a quorum requires 68 to be present, according to the Minnesota Supreme Court). DFL officials wanted to halt everything until a special election could be held to fill a vacant seat in the Roseville district in which their candidate never lived (see quiz answer b, above).
It was not until Minnesota Republicans filed lawsuits and circulated recall petitions against the 66 absent legislators that they finally agreed to a power-sharing agreement featuring a Republican as Speaker of the House and a co-chair arrangement for House committees.
You cannot make any of this up. As ridiculous as it all sounds, it’s true.
Bring Back Jesse Ventura?
I will close on a somewhat lighter note also related to Minnesota’s bizarre politics. When our older daughter was in second grade, on Election Day 1998 her class conducted a mock “vote” for Minnesota Governor. “Jesse Ventura won!” she reported somewhat incredulously after school. “Oh, honey, your class vote doesn’t represent how the real election will come out tonight,” her mother and I assured her. Ha! I’ll be darned, Minnesota did elect the notorious, feather-boa-wearing professional wrestler.
Yes, the party of Humphrey, Mondale, and Wellstone now has produced the likes of ultra-liberal Tim Walz and the “all of the above” answers to my little quiz. Perhaps we should have seen it coming when they (or the Republicans, for that matter) could not even beat Jesse “The Body” Ventura back in ‘98.
Written by Quentin R. Wittrock, founder of Principle Based Politics.
Look for his periodic posts, as this blog will explore and promote the idea of principle in politics, both as to individual elected leaders and our federal government as an institution.
Principle Based Politics does not endorse or support any particular political candidate or party.
James Loerts
Posted at 13:40h, 12 FebruaryAs the saying goes, truth is stranger than fiction.
Sandra madsen
Posted at 15:28h, 12 FebruaryAs I remember, Jesse turned out to be a fairly decent (as politics go), governor.
Quentin
Posted at 15:39h, 12 FebruaryAs I recall, he appointed better judges than had his predecessor, and he did some other things right, as well.
Keith Wittrock
Posted at 18:28h, 12 FebruaryQuentin, I appreciate the deep dive into Minnesota’s recent legislative mess—though “mess” might be too polite a term. Your quiz does a great job highlighting the absurdity, but you might want to add one more question:
g. Lost 20 ballots but were assured that election results were absolutely won by 14 votes.
It seems like the more chaotic the process, the more certain some people become about the outcome. That’s quite the magic trick.
Beyond the missing legislators and the quorum games, a major concern here is accountability—or the lack thereof. The Minnesota Constitution and state statutes exist for a reason, and those who refused to show up and do their jobs, at the behest of DFL leadership, should have been held accountable. Allowing them to skate by sets a dangerous precedent. If ignoring constitutional obligations comes without consequences, why wouldn’t they—or future legislators—pull the same stunt again?
And let’s not pretend the GOP is blameless here. Their leadership ultimately went along with the power-sharing arrangement instead of holding the line. It seems they were content to trade away the fight for the mere consolation prize of the speakership. In doing so, they sent a signal that they’re willing to accept procedural games rather than stand firm on principle.
At the end of the day, this wasn’t just a failure of one party—it was a bipartisan abdication of duty. The real losers? Minnesota voters.
I’ve become increasingly involved in local and state politics in recent years, and I’ve seen firsthand the decline of principle and leadership—not just in the legislative and executive branches, but now in the judicial system as well. It’s frustrating to watch those in power prioritize party interests and personal gain over constitutional responsibility and public service. If this trend continues unchecked, we’re headed for an era where laws and procedures are mere suggestions rather than governing principles.
Quentin
Posted at 18:57h, 12 FebruaryWell written comment, Keith! I did have the 20 missing ballots in the first draft of this post, but thought there was plenty of malfeasance without that point.
Keith Wittrock
Posted at 19:34h, 12 FebruaryThere is no shortage of malfeasance. I find this race intriguing, particularly regarding the integrity of their election system. I plan to follow it closely to see how it unfolds. While I have no doubt that Tabke will serve out his term—despite my disagreement—I am more concerned about the future implications for election integrity and the precedents being set. What, if anything, will be done to prevent this from happening again in other districts? Frankly, I’m surprised it held up to scrutiny, which only further erodes my confidence in the election system. Perhaps future participation will be necessary.
Anonymous
Posted at 00:24h, 13 FebruaryMr. Wittrock–good post–not just because your were criticizing the dems–you are on point. Interesting thought how both states can get smarter based on one person moving from one to the other. These problems are also largely the result of a weak and poorly run MNGOP–for a long, long time. The GOP fathers, going back to Arne Carlson/Pawlenty & Co–have been and still are–ineffective managers of the party. The MNGOP needs another re-start–I fear they will lose again in the next election cycle. The folks in MN have common sense–but the fake “MN Nice” culture holds them back. Walz is an embarrassment–among many elected officials in this state. But, the dems control the instruments of power in MN–and taking back some of that power is a difficult proposition. Just look at what is happening at the national level–change is hard to accept–even it is needed for the greater good. The republicans have a lot of hard work ahead–if they don’t get stronger statewide–the dems will continue to have the power to do dumb things.
Quentin
Posted at 00:35h, 13 FebruaryI appreciate your input, Darren.
Doug Phish
Posted at 00:42h, 13 FebruaryThought provoking post Quentin and well written.
In the noted legislators minds this is both revenge and self defense. In reality they are the very perpetrators they’re convinced they’re fighting.
Generally speaking, the most damaging, abusive, people I’ve come across always believe the world has screwed them over in
some unique way. Seething with resentment, they feel entitled to victimize others.
I would pay to hear Nicolle Mitchel’s excuse had she been caught in a boys restroom at 4am trying to buy a tampon.
Lynn Nehring
Posted at 01:32h, 13 FebruaryYou do a great job of summing up all that has been happening this year in our great state. With all this I still think Governor Walz has to be our biggest embarrassment.
Tom Duntley
Posted at 06:42h, 14 FebruaryQ,
I read your posts because I ike you as a person and I appreciate that you entered the CD3 political arena as a 2024 candidate.
I also appreciate your thoughtful perspective even though you are often susceptible to TDS.
This overview of MN legislative malfeasance and GOP ineptitude highlights many truths.
But… GOP grassroots engagement is growing. It is nascent, but there is new blood rising and old hats learning anew to participate.
I for one am not willing to concede our future. I don’t think you are either.
I’d love to see you use that big brain of yours to lead more than to opine as an observer. I don’t agree with all your positions, but common sense binds a winning majority of Minnesotans.
Thank you for your commitment to open dialog!