DFL regains control of Minnesota House

After two years of a tied House, the DFL has regained the majority.

In a year when anger flared on both political sides — DFLers over Operation Metro Surge and Republicans over fraud in state programs — the DFL came out ahead in Tuesday’s general election and is projected to hold a 77-57 advantage for the 2027-28 biennium.

[MORE: Minnesota House Members-elect roster] 

Voters also kept the DFL in control of the Senate, 39-28, and all five constitutional officers remain DFL. The DFL previously had a legislative trifecta in 2023-24.

[MORE: Legislative party control since 1901]

A woman makes her way into the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park polling place in Minneapolis Tuesday morning. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)

“Minnesotans chose leaders who will work for them, who ran on making their lives better and more affordable. These leaders will put the good of their neighbors first in everything they do. We’re honored to earn Minnesotans’ trust, and we’re ready to deliver,” House DFL Caucus Leader Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) said in a statement. “These candidates and their dedicated supporters knocked over a million doors and had 333,000 conversations with Minnesotans. That means they’ve already shown their ability to work hard and they know exactly what their neighbors need for their future. I am confident this dedication will carry over into the legislative session.”

House Republican Floor Leader Harry Niska (R-Ramsey) said in a statement, “House Democrats campaigned on free healthcare, free childcare, and other costly promises. We already know from the last trifecta that Democrats are willing to raise taxes by billions to pay for their wish list. The question now is whether Governor-elect Klobuchar will stand up to the tax-and-spend wing of her party, or whether she'll be another rubber stamp for the far-left agenda, like Tim Walz was. House Republicans will be watching, and we'll be fighting for Minnesota families who can't afford more of the same."

Election results are not official until they are certified by the state canvassing board. That is scheduled to occur Nov. 19.

According to the unofficial results at the Office of the Secretary of State, one race won by Republicans — Rep. Nolan West (R-Blaine) over DFL candidate Amanda Matchett in District 32A — is eligible for a state-funded recount. West won by 0.09% (22 votes amongst 23,644 cast).

By law, “A publicly funded recount of the results of an election for a state legislative office may occur if the difference in the number of votes cast for the apparent winning candidate and any other candidate is less than one-half of 1 percent (0.5 percent). ... A publicly funded recount will occur if the apparent losing candidate requests one by filing a notice with the appropriate filing officer within 48 hours after the canvassing board meeting." Candidates can pay for a recount themselves for larger margins.

The DFL flipped House districts in the Duluth, Mankato and Winona areas, as well as several in the Twin Cities. If all numbers hold, the House will have 33 new members: 20 DFL and 13 Republican. The 101 House members who won re-election Tuesday included 13 members who ran unopposed.

The 2027 session is scheduled to begin at noon Jan. 12. It must end by May 17. Office numbers and committee information will be determined in coming weeks by the majority caucus.

Check the House website later Wednesday for the first draft of the 2027-2028 Member Guide.