A Dem lawmaker accused of burglary was demanded to resign by Walz after the legislative session ended.

Gov. Tim Walz delayed calling on a Democratic state lawmaker accused of burglary to resign until after the legislative session ended in May, when her vote was no longer crucial.

Sen. Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury was arrested at her stepmother's home on April 22 and is accused of felony first-degree burglary for allegedly breaking in to obtain her late father's ashes and some of his personal belongings. Mitchell has denied the allegations and requested the dismissal of her charges.

The removal of Mitchell from her committee assignments and caucus meetings by the Minnesota Senate was prompted by her arrest. Republicans called for her immediate resignation, while Democratic leaders, including Walz, did not do so until after the legislative session ended on May 19.

Walz's actions during the episode were politically expedient as governor rather than what was right, according to GOP leaders.

"To maintain power, Minnesota Democrats ignored the criminal actions of their colleagues," Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson stated to Planet Chronicle Digital.

"As he did when he shifted responsibility for the loss of nearly a billion dollars of taxpayer money due to fraud, Tim Walz will avoid taking action unless it aligns with his far-left agenda and benefits him personally. He lacks the qualifications to be VP and will prioritize his own ambition and power-hungry agenda over the well-being of Americans if elected."

Democrats had a slim 34-33 majority in the legislature when Mitchell's vote was crucial to passing key legislation. Minnesota Democratic-Farmor-Labor Party Chairman urged Mitchell to resign, stating that her constituents had full representation throughout the legislative session in his statement.

Martin stated in a May 30 statement, ten days after the session closed, that the Minnesota DFL believes all elected officials should be held accountable, including members of their own party. While Sen. Mitchell is entitled to her day in court, her continued refusal to take responsibility for her actions is beneath her office and has become a distraction for her district and the Legislature.

"With the legislative session concluded and her constituents fully represented, it is now time for her to resign to address her personal and legal challenges."

Walz concurred with Martin's statement and urged Mitchell to resign, as reported by FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul.

The governor stated that the allegations against Mitchell were "disturbing" and that public officials must be held to a higher standard.

Republicans slammed the delayed response from Democratic leaders at the time.

Johnson responded to Martin's statement by saying that the lack of new evidence or information in the accusations against Sen. Mitchell meant that Martin's admission that Democrats were so desperate to pass their agenda they were willing to use votes of an alleged burglar to do it was a clear admission.

Democrats exploited their political power by supporting Sen. Mitchell for their own political gain, rather than working collaboratively for the benefit of all Minnesotans. It was evident that this would happen – now that they no longer require her vote, they are prepared to discard her.

"Minnesotans deserve better leaders who do not engage in a shameless pursuit of political power."

Gov. Walz's office and the Harris-Walz campaign declined to provide comment.

A criminal complaint alleges that Mitchell confessed to entering through a window and told investigators she was seeking her late father's ashes, photos, flannel shirt, and other sentimental items, stating that her stepmother had stopped communicating with her after her father's death and refused to provide the items.

On May 7, Mitchell was before an ethics panel, but exercised her Fifth Amendment rights and remained silent.

Since her election to the state Senate in 2022, Mitchell, a resident of Woodbury, Minnesota, has represented District 47. Prior to her political career, she worked as a meteorologist for KSTP-TV and Minnesota Public Radio and currently serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard.

The hearing for Mitchell's case in Becker County District Court has been postponed until August 30, according to the Detroit Lakes Tribune.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.