Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, the state’s branch of the national Democratic Party, is under fire for demanding their own state senator resign.
Conservatives say the DFL is putting political power ahead of principles after calling for the resignation of Sen. Nicole Mitchell only after the latest legislative session concluded – despite her arrest last month on burglary charges.
Mitchell, a Democrat, was arrested 200 miles from her district at her late father’s home in April.
While she refused to resign from the state Senate where Democrats held a narrow one-seat majority, party leaders remained silent until the end of the session on May 20.
On Thursday, DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin finally released a statement calling for Mitchell’s resignation, saying her “continued refusal to take responsibility for her actions is beneath her office and has become a distraction.”
“Now that her constituents have had full representation through the end of the legislative session, it is time for her to resign to focus on the personal and legal challenges she faces,” Martin stated.
However, Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson blasted the timing, accusing Democrats of embracing Mitchell’s vote as long as it served their “highly partisan agenda.”
“Democrats abused their political majority and embraced Sen. Mitchell because it served their political purposes instead of working in a bipartisan way for Minnesotans,” Johnson said. “This shameless pursuit of political power is not what Minnesotans deserve.”
Other critics also blasted the tone deaf move on social media —
Now that Nicole Mitchell isn’t needed they’re conveniently dumping her. Single party rule is fun stuff. https://t.co/w9IP4Qq0Y4
— J (@UpNorth_Tory371) May 30, 2024
Mitchell fired back through an attorney, refusing to resign and claiming community support while she awaits “due process under the law.”
The delay in seeking Mitchell’s resignation proved crucial on key Democratic priorities. As The Star Tribune reported, “Mitchell served until the last votes…cast before the midnight deadline with the DFL Senate majority holding just a 34-33 edge over the GOP.”
For example, one major bill raising rideshare rates passed thanks to Mitchell’s vote. Democrats compromised after initially siding with a Minneapolis ordinance that rideshare companies Uber and Lyft opposed.
While Mitchell could remain in office until the next election in 2026, Republicans slammed Democrats for eagerly utilizing an alleged criminal’s help… until it was no longer needed to advance their agenda.
“Anyone paying attention could see this coming – now that they no longer need her vote, they are ready to cast her aside,” Johnson said.
The backlash underscores the DFL’s willingness to conditionally embrace Mitchell despite her legal troubles as long as her vote was required to muscle through controversial bills in the Democrat trifecta’s final weeks of full control in St. Paul.
With Mitchell holding firm for now, the party faces further criticism for prioritizing short-term political gains over accountability – providing Republicans fresh ammunition that Democrats put power over principles.