House moves toward putting gubernatorial term limits on November ballot

“Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to place a limit of two terms on the offices of governor and lieutenant governor beginning with candidates elected in 2026?”

That’s the question Rep. Jimmy Gordon (R-Isanti) wishes to pose to Minnesota voters in November.

He sponsors HF1849 which would put the question on the ballot as a proposed constitutional amendment.

With no discussion on the bill, the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee approved it on a voice vote and sent it to the House Floor Thursday. The committee first heard the bill April 15.

Rep. Jimmy Gordon presents a bill to the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee April 30 that could ultimately impose term limits for the governor and lieutenant governor. (Photo by Andrew VonBank)

The constitutional amendment would affect governors and lieutenant governors elected beginning in 2026, in an effort to keep the bill focused on the issue of term limits rather than Gov. Tim Walz, who, theoretically, could run again even if the amendment is approved.

“We didn’t want to make this an issue about him. We didn’t want to make it a partisan issue. We wanted to make it on the principal of that we should have term limits on these offices,” Gordon told the House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee March 9.

Minnesota has never had a governor nor lieutenant governor serve more than two terms, though several sitting governors have tried including Rudy Perpich, Tim Pawlenty and, briefly, Walz. That fact was a sticking point for Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley) in March.

“The fact that nobody has successfully run for a third term suggests that there’s not a real need for this bill,” Freiberg said.

Rep. Joe McDonald (R-Delano) disagreed. “It gives credence to the people that believe we down here are not self-serving and are willing to support any measures that takes away time we spend as a public servant.”

“I’m confident the people of Minnesota will appreciate us seeking out their wisdom on this issue,” Gordon said.