Minnesota Lawmaker Resigns Following Conviction on Felony Burglary Charges

A Minnesota state senator who was recently convicted of burglary has plans to resign by early August, according to her lawyer. Democratic state Senator Nicole Mitchell was found guilty last Friday of first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools after a jury deliberated for three hours. Since her conviction, there have been strong calls from fellow Minnesota lawmakers urging her immediate resignation.

The 51-year-old senator represents a Democratic-leaning suburban district east of St. Paul, where she frequently held the pivotal vote in a closely divided state Senate. Her attorney indicated that Mitchell would need approximately two weeks to complete her legislative responsibilities and arrange health insurance for her son before her resignation, scheduled for August 4. Interestingly, Mitchell’s departure might not create the anticipated tension in the Senate.

On the same day, Republicans announced the passing of one of their own, state Senator Bruce Anderson of Buffalo. This development means that Democrats will continue to maintain a narrow majority regardless of Mitchell’s resignation. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy stated that Mitchell had communicated her intention to resign if convicted and expressed confidence that she would follow through.

Governor Tim Walz has indicated that he plans to call a special election to fill Mitchell’s seat as soon as possible, with the aim of allowing candidates ample time to prepare for the upcoming session in February. Walz expressed that it now seems less likely he would need to convene a special session this fall to address any budget issues resulting from federal actions. Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson criticized Mitchell’s decision to wait two weeks to resign.

He argued that her conviction on two felony charges warranted immediate resignation and suggested that her continuing presence in the Senate was motivated by the need for her vote to advance Democratic legislation. Mitchell’s legal troubles stem from an incident in April, where she was arrested for breaking into her estranged stepmother’s home to retrieve belongings, including her late father’s ashes. During her testimony, she later retracted initial statements and claimed her intent was simply to check on her stepmother’s well-being, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.