Lisa Demuth had already been elected speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives once this legislative session. But on Thursday, that designation was made official, as enough legislators gathered on the House floor to constitute a legal quorum when 66 Democrats appeared for the first time in 23 days after a staged boycott.
The 67 Republicans in the chamber voted to elect Demuth, a fourth-term legislator from Cold Spring, their leader. Democrats nominated Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, for speaker, a role she served in during the last legislative session. But their vote was largely ceremonial because they only have 66 members to the GOP’s 67. One seat, House District 40B, remains vacant after a Ramsey County judge ruled in December that Curtis Johnson did not meet the residency requirements to take the oath of office. One legislator, Rep. Leigh Finke, DFL-St. Paul, did not cast a vote for speaker.
WATCH: Democrat Rep. Leigh Finke didn't vote for DFL leader Melissa Hortman as speaker.
Finke appears to be the only member who didn't vote as Republican Lisa Demuth was elected speaker in a 67-65 vote. pic.twitter.com/lTvCj0KYsI
— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) February 6, 2025
Rep. Dave Baker, R-Willmar, nominated Demuth for speaker. He and Rep. Spencer Igo, R-Wabana Township, gave brief speeches praising Demuth for her ability to unify a divided chamber.
“While recent weeks have tested us all, today is a day that we come together, that we move forward and we restore the work of the people’s house,” Baker said, addressing his colleagues across both sides of the aisle. “At this critical juncture in our state’s history, Speaker Demuth is the leader that we really need. A leader who can bring people together, build consensus and ensure that every decision we make here reflects the best interests of more Minnesotans than we have ever seen before.”
DFL House members had boycotted the Capitol for the last three weeks as they were holding out hope they could delay the start of session long enough for a vacant north metro House seat to be filled in a special election by the first week of February. But last month the Supreme Court ruled that Gov. Tim Walz prematurely called a special election and essentially ordered him to re-issue the writ. The special election will now take place on March 11.
“As speaker, I will foster a culture of respect and constructive debate in this House. We can disagree without being disagreeable. We can debate vigorously while seeking common ground. And we can prove to Minnesotans that when their leaders work together, their government will work better,” Demuth said after accepting the speaker’s gavel.
Democratic and Republican House leaders held press conferences Thursday morning following their announcement the prior evening that they had reached a power-sharing agreement after a 23-day tug-of-war for control of the chamber. Demuth was asked by members of the media about her thoughts on the historic significance of her election to speaker.
“I am making history on two fronts by being a black woman, the first to hold this position, and then also the first Republican female speaker of the House,” Demuth said during a press conference Thursday morning. “It is an honor, but I look forward to the day that it will no longer be a surprise or an unusual thing.”
Earlier in the morning DFL leadership held their own media availability, where DFL caucus leader Hortman confirmed for media members that while she will no longer hold the speaker’s gavel, she anticipates being referred to by her colleagues as “speaker emeritus.”
Hank Long
Hank Long is a journalism and communications professional whose writing career includes coverage of the Minnesota legislature, city and county governments and the commercial real estate industry. Hank received his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, where he studied journalism, and his law degree at the University of St. Thomas. The Minnesota native lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and four children. His dream is to be around when the Vikings win the Super Bowl.
