Minnesota Democrats Win Full Control of State Government, Securing DFL Trifecta

Minnesota Democrats have taken full control of state government, with the DFL securing majorities in both chambers of the Legislature along with the governor's office on Tuesday.

In the House, the DFL had won at least 72 of 134 seats as of Wednesday morning, according to unofficial results, with some races still to be called. A majority requires 68 seats. Republicans had won 50 seats, and 12 races remained outstanding. Democrats went into Election Day holding 67 House seats after a Republican's resignation broke a 67-67 tie.

In the Senate, the DFL had won at least 34 of 67 seats, the number needed for a majority. Republicans had won 24 seats, and nine races were still outstanding. Democrats held a 34-33 majority heading into the election.

A trifecta means one party controls the governor's office, the House and the Senate. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the DFL nominee, won the race for governor on Tuesday, defeating Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth. She is to serve as Minnesota's governor.

Klobuchar entered the race after Gov. Tim Walz said he would not seek a third term. Her victory gives the DFL the governor's office alongside its new House and Senate majorities.

Minnesota had operated under divided government since the 2024 election, when Republicans flipped three House seats and the chamber ended up tied 67-67, ending the DFL's previous trifecta. It was only the second time the House had been tied, the first coming in 1979. The tie forced the parties to negotiate a power-sharing arrangement that took effect in 2025.

With unified control restored, several issues that stalled under divided government are now at stake as the DFL sets its agenda.

On guns, Democrats' top priority has been an assault weapons ban, which never reached a vote on the House floor. Protesters demanded a vote on a ban on semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines at the end of the last session, WCCO reported. DFL Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said voters could change that.

On fraud, Republicans pushed for a new Office of Inspector General to investigate fraud. The plan had bipartisan support in the Senate but did not clear the House.

On taxes and the budget, Republicans wanted the state's tax code aligned with new federal tax changes, while Democrats worried that federal funding cuts could force harder budget decisions.