GOP Leaders in Minnesota Pledge to Launch Recall Campaigns as Democratic Legislators Consider Taking a Two-Week Vacation

The Minnesota Republican Party pledged to initiate constitutional recalls against any Democratic legislator who fails to attend the state legislature's opening session on Monday.

Democrats are considering boycotting the first two weeks of the session to prevent Republicans from gaining an advantage in the state legislature. Minnesota GOP Chairman Alex Plechash stated at a Monday press conference that skipping work could put Democratic lawmakers at risk of recall elections.

At the Minnesota state capitol, Plechash stated that Minnesotans expect their elected officials to fulfill a fundamental duty by showing up and performing the job they were elected for. This is not a unique request.

The Republicans currently hold a slim 67-66 seat majority in the state House and can utilize this advantage to establish legislative rules for the upcoming session, which commences on Tuesday. However, their edge may be short-lived as a special election is scheduled for January 28 in a district that leans Democratic. In the previous election, Curtis Johnson, a Democrat, won, but was later disqualified after courts ruled he did not truly reside in the district.

Republicans will maintain a majority for at least two weeks, from the start of session on Tuesday until the special election at the end of January. Additionally, Republicans are challenging the re-election of another Democrat, Rep. Brad Tabke, who won by a narrow margin of 14 votes after county elections officials miscounted 20 absentee ballots in one precinct.

"We are dedicated to ensuring that every lawmaker is held responsible. If you fail to fulfill your duties, you have no right to keep your job," Plechash stated.

According to GOP Attorney Ryan Wilson, Minnesota law mandates that a recall petition must have at least 25 signatures from voters in a specific district. After acquiring the necessary signatures, the petition is forwarded to the Minnesota Supreme Court for evaluation of whether the recall's cause complies with legal standards.

Wilson stated that the GOP would base its recall requests on "nonfeasance," which refers to the inability to fulfill a legal obligation.

If the state Supreme Court approves the reasoning, the petition would need to be signed by at least 25% of the number of voters in the district who cast ballots in the November election. If it passes that threshold, the district would hold a recall vote.

In the history of the legislature, there has never been a situation where 66 members of a caucus refused to attend work, as stated by Wilson.

Democratic state Rep. Pam Altendorf contended that Republicans are only facing a disadvantage "due to cheating." She also stated that the lawmakers are "acting like sore losers and not attending work."

The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party in Minnesota did not respond to a request for comment from Planet Chronicle Digital.