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    Historical Information

    Party Control of the Minnesota House of Representatives, 1951-present

    Compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

    Party codes (see also notes at end of historical data):

    C=Conservative L=Liberal
    R=Republican DFL=Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    IR=Independent Republican Ind.=Independent
    iR=independent Republican

    Compiled from Minnesota legislative manuals and other sources, including previous library compilations and several histories of Minnesota.

    In 1913, Minnesota legislators began to be elected on nonpartisan ballots (1913 Minn. Laws Chap. 389). Legislators ran and caucused as "Liberals" or "Conservatives" (roughly equivalent in most years to Democratic-Farmer-Labor and Republican, respectively). A 1973 Law change brought back party designation elections beginning with the House in 1974 and the Senate in 1976 (1973 Minn. Laws Chapter 3 section 1; first numbered Minnesota Statute 202.03; renumbered Minnesota Statute 204B.36, subdivision 2). Prior to 1973, party alignment was often difficult to ascertain.

    Between November 15, 1975 and September 23, 1995, Minnesota Republicans ran under the party name Independent Republican.

    While efforts have been made to verify this information in more than one source, the library cannot guarantee the accuracy of sources; errors are possible. Please report any errors to the library staff.


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    Other: 0 (1971) L/DFL: 65 (1971) C/R/IR: 70 (1971) Other: 0 (1973) L/DFL: 77 (1973) C/R/IR: 57 (1973) Other: 0 (1975) L/DFL: 104 (1975) C/R/IR: 30 (1975) Other: 0 (1976) L/DFL: 103 (1976) C/R/IR: 31 (1976) Other: 0 (1977) L/DFL: 104 (1977) C/R/IR: 30 (1977) Other: 0 (1978) L/DFL: 100 (1978) C/R/IR: 34 (1978) Other: 0 (1979) L/DFL: 67 (1979) C/R/IR: 67 (1979) Other: 0 (1980) L/DFL: 68 (1980) C/R/IR: 66 (1980) Other: 0 (1981) L/DFL: 70 (1981) C/R/IR: 64 (1981) Other: 0 (1982) L/DFL: 70 (1982) C/R/IR: 64 (1982) Other: 0 (1983) L/DFL: 77 (1983) C/R/IR: 57 (1983) Other: 0 (1984) L/DFL: 76 (1984) C/R/IR: 58 (1984) Other: 0 (1985) L/DFL: 65 (1985) C/R/IR: 69 (1985) Other: 0 (1986) L/DFL: 65 (1986) C/R/IR: 69 (1986) Other: 0 (1987) L/DFL: 83 (1987) C/R/IR: 51 (1987) Other: 0 (1988) L/DFL: 82 (1988) C/R/IR: 52 (1988) Other: 0 (1989) L/DFL: 81 (1989) C/R/IR: 53 (1989) Other: 0 (1990) L/DFL: 80 (1990) C/R/IR: 54 (1990) Other: 0 (1991) L/DFL: 79 (1991) C/R/IR: 54 (1991) Other: 0 (1992) L/DFL: 78 (1992) C/R/IR: 56 (1992) Other: 0 (1993) L/DFL: 86 (1993) C/R/IR: 47 (1993) Other: 0 (1994) L/DFL: 84 (1994) C/R/IR: 50 (1994) Other: 0 (1995) L/DFL: 71 (1995) C/R/IR: 63 (1995) Other: 0 (1996) L/DFL: 69 (1996) C/R/IR: 65 (1996) Other: 0 (1997) L/DFL: 70 (1997) C/R/IR: 64 (1997) Other: 0 (1998) L/DFL: 70 (1998) C/R/IR: 62 (1998) Other: 0 (1999) L/DFL: 63 (1999) C/R/IR: 71 (1999) Other: 1 (2000) L/DFL: 63 (2000) C/R/IR: 70 (2000) Other: 0 (2001) L/DFL: 65 (2001) C/R/IR: 69 (2001) Other: 0 (2002) L/DFL: 64 (2002) C/R/IR: 70 (2002) Other: 0 (2003) L/DFL: 52 (2003) C/R/IR: 81 (2003) Other: 0 (2004) L/DFL: 53 (2004) C/R/IR: 81 (2004) Other: 0 (2005) L/DFL: 66 (2005) C/R/IR: 68 (2005) Other: 0 (2006) L/DFL: 66 (2006) C/R/IR: 68 (2006) Other: 0 (2007) L/DFL: 85 (2007) C/R/IR: 49 (2007) Other: 0 (2008) L/DFL: 85 (2008) C/R/IR: 49 (2008) Other: 0 (2009) L/DFL: 87 (2009) C/R/IR: 47 (2009) Other: 0 (2010) L/DFL: 87 (2010) C/R/IR: 47 (2010) Other: 0 (2011) L/DFL: 62 (2011) C/R/IR: 72 (2011) Other: 0 (2012) L/DFL: 62 (2012) C/R/IR: 72 (2012) Other: 0 (2013) L/DFL: 72 (2013) C/R/IR: 60 (2013) Other: 0 (2014) L/DFL: 73 (2014) C/R/IR: 61 (2014) Other: 0 (2015) L/DFL: 62 (2015) C/R/IR: 72 (2015) Other: 0 (2016) L/DFL: 61 (2016) C/R/IR: 73 (2016) Other: 0 (2017) L/DFL: 57 (2017) C/R/IR: 76 (2017) Other: 0 (2018) L/DFL: 57 (2018) C/R/IR: 77 (2018) Other: 4 (2019) L/DFL: 75 (2019) C/R/IR: 55 (2019) Other: 4 (2020) L/DFL: 75 (2020) C/R/IR: 55 (2020) Other: 5 (2021) L/DFL: 70 (2021) C/R/IR: 59 (2021) Other: 6 (2022) L/DFL: 69 (2022) C/R/IR: 59 (2022) Other: 0 (2023) L/DFL: 70 (2023) C/R/IR: 64 (2023) Other: 0 (2024) L/DFL: 70 (2024) C/R/IR: 63 (2024)
    Effective Date Event Note Total C/R/IR L/DFL Other Margin
    7/14/2024 Resignation Rep. Pat Garofalo resigned after previously announcing he would not run for reelection.   131 63 68 0 5
    7/5/2024 Resignation Rep. Liz Olson (DFL, 8A) resigned to take a job after previously announcing she would not run for reelection.   132 64 68 0 4
    5/28/2024 Resignation Rep. Heather Edelson (DFL, 50A) resigned after being elected as a Hennepin County Commissioner.   133 64 69 0 5
    3/20/2024 Special election Bryan Lawrence (R) won the special election in District 27B on on March 19, 2024.   134 64 70 0 6
    2/12/2024 Convenes District 27B was vacant at the convening of the Legislature due to a resignation.   133 63 70 0 7
    2/11/2024 Resignation Rep. Kurt Daudt (R, 27B) resigned effective February 11, 2024.   133 63 70 0 7
    1/12/2024 Special election Bianca Virnig (DFL) won the special election in District 52B on on December 5, 2023. She was sworn in on January 12, 2024.   134 64 70 0 6
    9/1/2023 Resignation Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL, 52B) resigned.   133 64 69 0 5
    1/3/2023 Convenes   134 64 70 0 6
    8/5/2022 Resignation Rep. Tony Albright (R, 55B) resigned. No special election was held.   133 58 69 6 7d
    1/31/2022 Convenes   134 59 69 6 6d
    9/15/2021 Party/Caucus change Rep. John Thompson (67A) left the DFL Caucus and will be caucusing as the Independent Caucus.   134 59 69 6 6d
    5/18/2021 Party/Caucus change Rep. Erik Mortensen (55A) left the New House Republican Caucus and will be caucusing independently as the Republican Freedom Caucus.   134 59 70 5 6d
    1/5/2021 Convenes   134 59 70 5 6d
    1/5/2021 Party/Caucus change Rep. Erik Mortensen (55A) joined the New House Republican Caucus.   134 59 70 5 6d
    2/11/2020 Convenes   134 55 75 4 16c
    2/11/2020 Special election Paul Novotny (R) won the special election in District 30A and Sydney Jordan (DFL) won in District 60A on February 4, 2020. They were sworn in on February 11, 2020.   134 55 75 4 16c
    12/6/2019 Resignation Rep. Nick Zerwas (R, 30A) resigned to spend time with family.   132 54 74 4 16c
    11/16/2019 Death Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL, 60A)   133 55 74 4 15c
    3/27/2019 Special election Nathan Nelson (R) won the special election for a House seat in District 11B on March 19, 2019. He was sworn in on March 27, 2019.   134 55 75 4 16c
    2/12/2019 Resignation Rep. Jason Rarick (R, 11B) resigned effective February 12, 2019 in order to take the Senate District 11 seat he won in a special election on February 5, 2019.   133 54 75 4 17c
    1/8/2019 Convenes   134 55 75 4 16c
    1/8/2019 Party/Caucus change Four Republican members established the New House Republican Caucus. The four members are Rep. Tim Miller (17A), Rep. Steve Drazkowski (21B), Rep. Jeremy Munson (23B), Rep. Cal Bahr (31B).   134 55 75 4 16c
    12/10/2018 Resignation Rep. Jeff Howe (R, 13A) resigned well before the election effective December 10, 2018 in order to take the Senate District 13 seat he won in a special election on November 6, 2018.   130 75 55 0 20
    9/5/2018 Resignation Rep. Paul Rosenthal (DFL, 49B) resigned to take a position in another state. No special election was held.   131 76 55 0 21
    7/2/2018 Resignation Rep. Joyce Peppin (R, 34A) resigned to take a job in the private sector. No special election was held.   132 76 56 0 20
    4/20/2018 Resignation Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL, 61B) resigned effective April 20, 2018. He was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court. No special election was held.   133 77 56 0 21
    2/20/2018 Convenes   134 77 57 0 20
    2/20/2018 Special election Jeremy Munson (R) won the special election for the House District 23B seat on February 12, 2018. He was sworn in on February 20, 2018.   134 77 57 0 20
    11/30/2017 Resignation Rep. Tony Cornish (R, 23B) resigned effective November 30, 2017.   133 76 57 0 19
    2/21/2017 Special election Anne Neu (R) won the special election for the House seat in District 32B on February 14, 2017. She was sworn in on February 21, 2017.   134 77 57 0 20
    1/3/2017 Convenes District 32B was vacant at the convening of the Legislature.   133 76 57 0 19
    3/8/2016 Convenes   134 73 61 0 12
    2/17/2016 Special election Chad Anderson (R) won the special election for a House seat in District 50B on February 9, 2016. He was sworn in on February 17, 2016.   134 73 61 0 12
    12/17/2015 Special election Rob Ecklund (DFL) won the special election for a House seat in District 3A on December 8, 2015. He was sworn in on December 17, 2015.   133 72 61 0 11
    12/15/2015 Resignation Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL, 50B) resigned to take a job in the private sector.   132 72 60 0 12
    11/9/2015 Special election Peggy Flanagan (DFL) won the special election for a House seat in District 46A on November 3, 2015. She was sworn in on November 9, 2015.   133 72 61 0 11
    8/8/2015 Death Rep. David Dill (DFL, 3A)   132 72 60 0 12
    7/1/2015 Resignation Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL, 46A) resigned to move with his family to Brussels.   133 72 61 0 11
    1/6/2015 Convenes   134 72 62 0 10
    2/25/2014 Convenes   134 61 73 0 12
    2/19/2013 Special election Tama Theis (R) won the special election in District 14A and Clark Johnson (DFL) won in District 19A on February 12, 2013 and they were sworn in on February 19, 2013.   134 61 73 0 12
    1/8/2013 Convenes Districts 14A and 19A were vacant at the convening of the Legislature due to resignations.   132 60 72 0 12
    1/7/2013 Resignation Rep. Terry Morrow (DFL, 19A) announced his resignation on December 19, 2012 to take a job in the private sector. He finished his term with the 87th Legislature.   132 60 72 0 12
    1/3/2013 Resignation Rep. Steve Gottwalt (R, 15A) resigned to take a job in the private sector before serving in District 14A in the 88th legislative session.   133 60 73 0 13
    11/6/2012 Election   134 61 73 0 12
    4/17/2012 Resignation Rep. Lyle Koenen (DFL, 20B) resigned on April 17, 2012 to take a Senate District 20 seat he won in a special election on April 10, 2012. His seat was not filled by a special election.   133 72 61 0 11
    1/24/2012 Convenes   134 72 62 0 10
    1/19/2012 Special election Susan Allen (DFL) won a special election for a House seat in District 61B on January 10, 2012. She was sworn in on January 19, 2012.   134 72 62 0 10
    10/25/2011 Resignation Rep. Jeff Hayden (DFL, 61B) resigned effective October 25, 2011 in order to take the Senate District 61 seat he won in a special election on October 18, 2011.   133 72 61 0 11
    2/22/2011 Special election Carly Melin (DFL) won the special election for a House seat in District 5B on February 15, 2011. She was sworn in on February 22, 2011.   134 72 62 0 10
    1/13/2011 Resignation Rep. Tony Sertich (DFL) from 5B resigned to become the Commissioner of the Minnesota Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.   133 72 61 0 11
    1/4/2011 Convenes   134 72 62 0 10
    2/4/2010 Convenes   134 47 87 0 40
    1/6/2009 Convenes   134 47 87 0 40
    2/12/2008 Convenes   134 49 85 0 36
    12/1/2007 Party/Caucus change Rep. Mark Olson (16B) changed from Republican to independent Republican.   134 48 85 1 36a
    8/16/2007 Special election Steve Drazkowski (R) won a special election in District 28B on August 7, 2007. He was sworn in on August 16, 2007.   134 49 85 0 36
    7/17/2007 Resignation Rep. Steve Sviggum (R) resigned from District 28B to become Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.   133 48 85 0 37
    1/3/2007 Convenes   134 49 85 0 36
    6/21/2006 Resignation Rep. Ron Abrams (R, 43B) resigned effective June 21, 2006. He was appointed to be a Judge with the Hennepin County District Court/4th Judicial District. No special election was held.   133 67 66 0 1
    3/1/2006 Convenes   134 68 66 0 2
    1/19/2006 Special election Larry Haws (DFL) won the special election for a House seat in District 15B on December 27, 2005. He was sworn in on January 19, 2006.   134 68 66 0 2
    12/15/2005 Resignation Joe Opatz (DFL, 15B) resigned to become interim president of Central Lakes College.   133 68 65 0 3
    1/4/2005 Convenes   134 68 66 0 2
    8/31/2004 Resignation Rep. Alice Seagren (R, 41B) was appointed to be the Education Commissioner. There was no special election.   129 77 52 0 25
    8/31/2004 Resignation Rep. Tom Pugh (DFL, 39A) was appointed to the Public Utilities Commission. There was no special election.   129 77 52 0 25
    7/21/2004 Resignation Rep. Eric Lipman (R, 56A) resigned to become the state sex-offender policy coordinator. There was no special election.   131 78 53 0 25
    7/20/2004 Resignation Rep. Chris Gerlach (R, 37A) resigned in order to take the Senate District he won in a special election on July 13, 2004. There was no special election for his House seat.   132 79 53 0 26
    6/30/2004 Resignation Rep. Doug Stang (R, 14B) resigned to become assistant Health Department Commissioner. There was no special election.   133 80 53 0 27
    2/2/2004 Convenes   134 81 53 0 28
    1/8/2004 Special election Scott Newman (R) won the special election for a House seat in District 18A on December 30, 2003. He was sworn in on January 8, 2004.   134 81 53 0 28
    11/24/2003 Resignation Rep. Tony Kielkucki (R, 18A) resigned to take a position as Deputy Secretary of State position in the Elections Office.   133 80 53 0 27
    3/3/2003 Special election Kurt Zellers (R) won the special election for a House seat in District 32B on February 25, 2003. He was sworn in around March 3, 2003.   134 81 53 0 28
    2/17/2003 Special election Rebecca Otto (DFL) won the special election for a House seat in District 52B on February 11, 2003. She was sworn in on February 17, 2003.   133 80 53 0 27
    2/10/2003 Special election Duke Powell (R) won the special election for a House seat in District 40A on February 3, 2003. He was sworn in on February 10, 2003.   132 80 52 0 28
    1/30/2003 Resignation Rep. Rich Stanek (R, 32B) resigned to take an appointment as Commissioner of Public Safety.   131 79 52 0 27
    1/17/2003 Resignation Rep. Mark Holsten (R, 52B) resigned to take an appointment as Deputy Commissioner of Natural Resources.   132 80 52 0 28
    1/7/2003 Convenes District 40A was vacant at the convening of the Legislature due to a resignation.   133 81 52 0 29
    1/6/2003 Resignation Rep. Dan McElroy (R, 40A) was elected to serve in the 83rd Legislature but resigned before it began to become the Commissioner of Finance.   133 81 52 0 29
    11/5/2002 Election   134 82 52 0 30
    8/2/2002 Resignation Rep. James Clark (R, 23A) resigned for familial reasons.   133 70 63 0 7
    3/8/2002 Special election John Jordan (R) won the special election for a House seat in District 47A on March 4, 2002. He was sworn in on March 8, 2002.   134 71 63 0 8
    1/30/2002 Death Rep. Darlene Luther (DFL, 47A)   133 70 63 0 7
    1/29/2002 Convenes   134 70 64 0 6
    11/15/2001 Special election Greg Blaine (R) won the special election for a House seat in District 12B on November 6, 2001. He was sworn in on November 15, 2001.   134 70 64 0 6
    8/3/2001 Resignation Rep. Stephen Wenzel (DFL, 12B) resigned to take an appointment as state director of rural development for the US Dept of Agriculture.   133 69 64 0 5
    1/3/2001 Convenes   134 69 65 0 4
    2/1/2000 Convenes   134 70 63 1 7e
    11/12/1999 Special election Dale Swapinski (DFL) won the special election for a House seat in District 7A on November 2, 1999. He was sworn in on November 12, 1999.   134 70 63 1 7e
    7/11/1999 Death Rep. Willard Munger (DFL, 7A)   133 70 62 1 8e
    5/18/1999 Party/Caucus change Rep. Doug Reuter (28A) changed from R to Ind.   134 70 63 1 7e
    1/5/1999 Convenes   134 71 63 0 8
    2/5/1998 Special election Ray Vandeveer (R) won the special election for a House seat in District 51B on January 27, 1998. He was sworn in on February 5, 1998.   134 64 70 0 6
    1/29/1998 Special election James Clark (R) won the special election for a House seat in District 23A on January 20, 1998. He was sworn in on January 29, 1998.   133 63 70 0 7
    1/20/1998 Convenes Districts 23A and 51B were vacant at the convening of the legislature.   132 62 70 0 8
    1/20/1998 Special election Sondra Erickson (R) won the special election for a House seat in District 17A on January 6, 1998. He was sworn in on January 20, 1998.   132 62 70 0 8
    1/15/1998 Resignation Rep. Doug Swenson (R, 51B) resigned to take an appointment to 10th District Court. He was named on December 19, 1997 and resigned effective on January 15, 1998..   131 61 70 0 9
    12/22/1997 Death Rep. Barb Vickerman (R, 23A)   132 62 70 0 8
    12/7/1997 Resignation Rep. LeRoy Koppendrayer (R, 17A) resigned to take an appointment as Commissioner of Public Utilities. He was named on December 5, 1997 and began serving in the PUC on December 8, 1997.   133 63 70 0 7
    11/13/1997 Special election Mary Ellen Otremba (DFL) won the special election for a House seat in District 11B on November 4, 1997. She was sworn in on November 13, 1997.   134 64 70 0 6
    9/4/1997 Death Rep. Ken Otremba (DFL, 11B)   133 64 69 0 5
    1/7/1997 Convenes   134 64 70 0 6
    10/15/1996 Death Rep. Jim Rice (DFL, 58A)   133 65 68 0 3
    1/16/1996 Convenes   134 65 69 0 4
    8/1/1995 Special election Bob Gunther (IR) won the special election for a House seat in District 26A on August 1, 1995. His swearing in date is unknown.   134 65 69 0 4
    7/11/1995 Special election Skip Carlson (IR) won the special election for a House seat in District 52A on July 11, 1995. His swearing in date is unknown.   133 64 69 0 5
    6/30/1995 Resignation Rep. Gene Hugoson (IR, 26A) resigned to take an appointment as Commissioner of Agriculture.   132 63 69 0 6
    6/18/1995 Resignation Rep. Wayne Simoneau (DFL, 52A) resigned to take an appointment as Commissioner of the Department of Employee Relations.   133 64 69 0 5
    4/10/1995 Special election Eldon Warkentin (IR) won the special election for a House seat in District 49B on April 4, 1995. He was sworn in on April 10, 1995.   134 64 70 0 6
    3/13/1995 Special election Richard Stanek (IR) won the special election for a House seat in District 33B on March 7, 1995. He was sworn in on March 13, 1995.   133 63 70 0 7
    3/5/1995 Resignation Rep. Joel Jacobs (DFL, 49B) resigned to take an appointment to the board of the Public Utilities Commission.   132 62 70 0 8
    2/13/1995 Resignation Rep. Warren Limmer (IR, 33B) resigned effective February 13, 1995 in order to take the Senate District 33 seat he won in a special election on February 2, 1995.   133 62 71 0 9
    1/3/1995 Convenes   134 63 71 0 8
    2/22/1994 Convenes   134 50 84 0 34
    2/16/1994 Special election Tom Van Engen (IR) won the special election for a House seat in District 15A on February 8, 1994. He was sworn in on February 16, 1994.   134 50 84 0 34
    1/25/1994 Special election Kevin Knight (IR) won the special election for District 40B on January 11, 1994. His swearing in date is unknown. Rep. Kathleen Blatz's resignation was January 24, 1994.   133 49 84 0 35
    1/24/1994 Resignation Rep. Kathleen Blatz (IR, 40B) resigned to take an appointment as Hennepin County District Judge.   132 48 84 0 36
    1/4/1994 Resignation Rep. Alan Welle (DFL, 15A) resigned related to "phonegate" (abuse of telephone privileges).   133 49 84 0 35
    7/22/1993 Special election Tim Finseth (IR) won the special election for District 1B on July 13, 1993. His swearing in date is uncertain.   134 49 85 0 36
    5/18/1993 Resignation Rep. Wally Sparby (DFL, 1B) resigned to take an appointment as head of the state Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Services office.   133 48 85 0 37
    1/15/1993 Special election Jim Rhodes (IR) won the special election for a House seat in District 44B on January 12, 1993. He was sworn in on January 15, 1993.   134 48 86 0 38
    1/5/1993 Convenes District 44B was vacant at the convening of the Legislature due to a resignation.   133 47 86 0 39
    12/14/1992 Resignation Rep. Gloria Segal (DFL, 44B), in ill health   133 47 86 0 39
    11/3/1992 Election   134 47 87 0 38
    7/1/1992 Party/Caucus change Rep. Bob Anderson (IR, 10B) changed to DFL. The date is uncertain.   132 53 79 0 26
    5/11/1992 Resignation Rep. Terry Dempsey (IR, 23A) resigned to take an appointment as district judge. There was no special election.   132 54 78 0 24
    5/7/1992 Resignation Rep. Sally Olsen (IR, 44A) resigned to take an appointment in the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals. There was no special election.   133 55 78 0 23
    1/6/1992 Convenes   134 56 78 0 22
    1/2/1992 Special election Rich Krambeer (IR) won the special election for District 47A on December 17, 1991. He was sworn in on January 2, 1992.   134 56 78 0 22
    1/1/1992 Resignation Rep. Linda Scheid (DFL, 47A) resigned to take a job in the private sector.   133 55 78 0 23
    2/18/1991 Special election Gregory Davids (IR) won the special election for District 32B on February 12, 1991. He was sworn in on February 18, 1991.   134 55 79 0 24
    2/7/1991 Special election Phil Heir (IR) won the special election for District 50B on February 2, 1991. He was sworn in on February 7, 1991.   133 54 79 0 25
    1/10/1991 Resignation Rep. Elton Redalen (IR, 32B) was appointed Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture. He was elected to the 77th session, but resigned shortly after being sworn in..   132 53 79 0 26
    1/8/1991 Convenes District 50B was vacant at the convening of the Legislature due to a resignation.   133 54 79 0 25
    1/7/1991 Resignation Rep. Joe Quinn (DFL, 50B) was appointed district judge on January 4, 1991. His resignation date is uncertain. He was elected to the 77th session, but did not serve his term.   133 54 79 0 25
    11/6/1990 Election   134 54 80 0 26
    8/13/1990 Resignation Rep. Tony Bennett (IR, 53A) resigned to take an appointment as U.S. Marshal. There was no special election.   132 53 79 0 26
    3/13/1990 Resignation Rep. Jeff Conway (DFL, 30B) resigned amidst criminal felony charges. There was no special election.   133 54 79 0 25
    2/12/1990 Convenes   134 54 80 0 26
    11/22/1989 Special election Alice Hausman (DFL) won the special election for District 63B on November 7, 1989. She was sworn in on November 22, 1989.   134 54 80 0 26
    9/1/1989 Resignation Rep. Ann Wynia (DFL, 63B) resigned to take an appointment as the Minnesota Commissioner of Human Services.   133 54 79 0 25
    2/9/1989 Special election Linda Runbeck (IR) won the special election for District 52A on Feburary 4, 1989. She was sworn in on February 9, 1989.   134 54 80 0 26
    1/4/1989 Resignation Rep. Gordon Voss (DFL, 52A) resigned to take an appointment as chief administrator of Metropolitan Waste Control Commission.   133 53 80 0 27
    1/3/1989 Convenes   134 53 81 0 28
    9/7/1988 Resignation Rep. Dan Knuth (DFL, 52B) resigned to take an appointment at the Waste Management Board. There was no special election.   132 51 81 0 30
    7/19/1988 Death Rep. John Rose (IR, 63A). No special election was held to fill his seat.   133 51 82 0 31
    2/9/1988 Convenes   134 52 82 0 30
    11/12/1987 Special election Andy Dawkins (DFL) won the special election for District 65A on November 3, 1987. He was sworn in on November 12, 1987.   134 52 82 0 30
    11/12/1987 Special election Dale DeRaad (IR) won the special election for District 30B on November 3, 1987. He was sworn in on November 12, 1987.   134 52 82 0 30
    9/2/1987 Resignation Rep. Jerry Schoenfeld (DFL, 30B) resigned to take an appointment as director of the Rural Development Board.   132 51 81 0 30
    6/25/1987 Resignation Rep. Fred Norton (DFL, 65A) resigned to take an appointment to the Court of Appeals. He resigned before the special session.   133 51 82 0 31
    1/6/1987 Convenes   134 51 83 0 32
    1/6/1987 Special election Bernie Omann (IR) won the special election for District 16A on December 22, 1986. He was sworn in on January 6, 1987.   134 51 83 0 32
    12/5/1986 Resignation Rep. Carol Dyke (IR, 28A) resigned to move to South Dakota. There was no special election; she was not re-elected in the Nov. 1986 election.   132 67 65 0 2
    11/19/1986 Death Rep. Ben Omann (IR, 16A) died shortly after winning the election unopposed.   133 68 65 0 3
    2/3/1986 Convenes   134 69 65 0 4
    1/8/1985 Convenes   134 69 65 0 4
    3/6/1984 Convenes   134 58 76 0 18
    11/17/1983 Special election Ben Boo (IR) won the special election for District 8B on November 8, 1983. He was sworn in on November 17, 1983.   134 58 76 0 18
    9/12/1983 Resignation Rep. Tom Berkelman (DFL, 8B) resigned to take another job.   133 57 76 0 19
    1/4/1983 Convenes   134 57 77 0 20
    1/12/1982 Convenes   134 64 70 0 6
    7/17/1981 Special election Don Frerichs (IR) won the special election for District 32B on July 15, 1981. His swearing in date is uncertain.   134 64 70 0 6
    6/1/1981 Resignation Rep. Don Friedrich (IR, 32B) was appointed director of state Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service. His exact resignation date is uncertain.   133 63 70 0 7
    1/6/1981 Convenes   134 64 70 0 6
    6/1/1980 Resignation Rep. Leo Adams (DFL, 44B) appointed to Public Service Commission. His actual term end date is uncertain due to the appointment. There was no special election.   133 66 67 0 1
    1/22/1980 Convenes   134 66 68 0 2
    1/17/1980 Special election Donna Peterson (DFL) won the special election for District 60B on January 17, 1980. Her swearing in date is uncertain.   134 66 68 0 2
    12/5/1979 Resignation Rep. Stanley Enebo (DFL, 60B) resigned to become associate director of PERA.   133 66 67 0 1
    6/26/1979 Special election Frank J. Rodriguez, Sr. (DFL) won the special election for District 67A on June 19, 1979. He was sworn in on June 26, 1979.   134 66 68 0 2
    5/18/1979 Unseating Rep. Robert Pavlak (IR, 67A) was unseated by vote of the House on charges of unfair campaign practices.   133 66 67 0 1
    1/3/1979 Convenes Tie   134 67 67 0 0b
    3/21/1978 Party/Caucus change Rep. Glen Sherwood (DFL, 4B) changed to IR.   134 35 99 0 64
    1/17/1978 Convenes   134 34 100 0 66
    12/19/1977 Special election Elton Redalen (IR) won the special election for a House seat in District 35A on December 10, 1977. He was sworn in on December 19, 1977.   134 34 100 0 66
    11/4/1977 Resignation Rep. Neil Haugerud (DFL, 35A) was appointed commissioner of Upper Mississippi River Basin Commission.   133 33 100 0 67
    10/11/1977 Special election Tony Onnen (IR) won the special election for a House seat in District 22B on September 27, 1977. He was sworn in on October 11, 1977.   134 33 101 0 68
    8/1/1977 Party/Caucus change Rep. Al Wieser (DFL) changed to IR. The date is uncertain.   134 32 102 0 70
    7/31/1977 Resignation Rep. Harold Dahl (DFL, 22B) was appointed judge.   133 32 101 0 69
    3/18/1977 Special election Gaylin Den Ouden (IR) won the special election for a House seat in District 21B on March 15, 1977. He was sworn in on March 18, 1977.   134 31 103 0 72
    2/15/1977 Resignation Rep. A. O. Setzepfandt (DFL, 21B) resigned February 15, 1977 in order to take the Senate District 21 seat he won in a special election on February 5, 1977.   133 30 103 0 73
    1/4/1977 Convenes   134 30 104 0 74
    1/27/1976 Convenes   134 31 103 0 72
    1/7/1975 Convenes   134 30 104 0 74
    1/7/1975 Special election Bruce Nelsen (R) won the special election for a House seat in District 12A on December 23, 1974. He was sworn in on January 7, 1975.   134 30 104 0 74
    11/15/1974 Death Melvin Miller (DFL, 12A) won the seat for 12A in the 1974 election, but died before he could be seated in the 1975 legislature.   133 56 77 0 21
    11/14/1973 Special election Frank Knoll (DFL) won the special election for a House seat in District 61A on November 6, 1973. He was sworn in on November 14, 1973.   134 56 78 0 22
    11/14/1973 Special election Dick Kostohryz (DFL) won the special election for a House seat in District 50B on November 6, 1973. He was sworn in on November 14, 1973.   133 56 77 0 21
    8/1/1973 Resignation Rep. John Boland (DFL, 50B) became chair of Metropolitan Council. The date is uncertain.   133 57 76 0 19
    7/10/1973 Resignation Rep. Gary Flakne (R, 61A) was appointed to become Hennepin County attorney. The date is uncertain.   132 56 76 0 20
    1/2/1973 Convenes   134 57 77 0 20
    5/7/1971 Special election Dick Lemke (DFL) won the special election for a House seat in District 2B on May 4, 1971. He was sworn in on May 7, 1971.   135 70 65 0 5
    4/1/1971 Death Rep. Charlie Miller (DFL, 2B)   134 70 64 0 6
    1/5/1971 Convenes   135 70 65 0 5
    4/14/1969 Special election Donna Christianson (Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus) won the special election for a House seat in District 66A on April 8, 1969. Her swearing in date is uncertain.   135 85 50 0 35
    3/20/1969 Special election Bernard Bischoff (Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus) won the special election for a House seat in District 63 on March 11, 1969. He was sworn in (again) on March 20, 1969.   134 85 49 0 36
    3/8/1969 Death Rep. Marvin Christianson (Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus, 66A)   133 85 48 0 37
    2/7/1969 Unseating Rep. Bernard Bischoff (Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus, 63) was unseated by vote of the House on charges of unfair campaign practices.   134 85 49 0 36
    1/7/1969 Convenes   135 85 50 0 35
    1/3/1967 Convenes   135 93 42 0 51
    5/18/1966 Special election Arlan Stangeland (Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus) won the special election for a House seat in District 56 on May 10, 1966. He was sworn in on May 18, 1966.   135 80 54 1 26
    3/2/1966 Death Rep. Reuben Nelson (Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus, 56)   134 79 54 1 25
    4/20/1965 Special election John P. Wingard (Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus) won the special election for a House seat in District 30 on March 27, 1965. He was sworn in on April 20, 1965.   135 79 55 1 24
    1/5/1965 Convenes District 30 was vacant at the convening of the Legislature. Linn Slattengren, won the 1964 general election but was found guilty of violating the Minnesota Corrupt Practices Act. He was not sworn in.   134 78 55 1 23
    1/8/1963 Convenes   135 80 54 1 26
    1/3/1961 Convenes   131 58 73 0 15
    1/6/1959 Convenes   131 59 72 0 13
    2/28/1957 Special election Bob Renner (Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus) won the special election for a House seat in District 52 on February 26, 1957. He was sworn in on February 28, 1957.   131 65 66 0 1
    1/8/1957 Convenes Seth R. Phillips and George E. Ericson contested the 1956 election the District 52 seat. The seat was declared vacant when the House convened and a special election was held.   130 64 66 0 2
    1/4/1955 Convenes   131 65 66 0 1
    1/6/1953 Convenes   131 85 46 0 39
    1/2/1951 Convenes   131 87 44 0 43

    a Rep. Mark Olson was reelected as a Republican in the November 2006 election. However, on December 7, 2006 the Republican caucus suspended him. He then began calling himself an "independent" Republican in 2007. In early December 2007 the Republican members voted to expel him from their caucus. He is included in the count of Republicans for the margin calculation.
    b In 1979, the parties were evenly divided. An article from the January 8, 1979 Minneapolis Tribune described how the leadership of the Minnesota House would be handled: "Under an agreement tentatively approved late Sunday, the Independent-Republicans will elect the speaker of the House from their ranks. To balance his power, the DFL will get the chairmanship -- and a one-vote majority -- of both the rules and tax committees; the DFL will also get the chairmanship of the appropriations committee."
    c In the 2019-2020 biennium, the four members of the New House Republican Caucus did not caucus with the other Republican House members, but they are Republicans, and they are included with Republicans for the purpose of the margin. The four members are Rep. Tim Miller (17A), Rep. Steve Drazkowski (21B), Rep. Jeremy Munson (23B), Rep. Cal Bahr (31B).
    d In the 2021-2022 biennium, the members of the New House Republican Caucus continue to be included with the Republicans for the purpose of the margin. Representative Erik Mortensen is included with the Republicans for the purpose of the margin both when he was a part of the New House Republican Caucus and when he caucused independently as the Republican Freedom Caucus. Representative John Thompson was expelled from the DFL caucus but is included with the Democrats for the purpose of the margin.
    e As an Independent, Representative Doug Reuter is not included in the margin calculation.

    Sources of data:

    • Legislative Directory (unofficial), 1957-1973 (Minnesota Railroads Association)
    • Membership directories, 1987-1989 (Minnesota House of Representatives)
    • Newspaper clippings, 1970s- (especially for mid-term changes)
    • House and Senate journals
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    Historical Information