Minnesota state senator will resign following burglary conviction despite expected appeal
Minnesota state Senator Nicole Mitchell announced she will resign from the legislature following her conviction on federal burglary charges. She plans to step down on August 4, after completing current legislative tasks. the resignation will trigger a special election that could impact the Democrats’ narrow 34-33 majority in the state Senate. Mitchell was found guilty of breaking into her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, allegedly to retrieve sentimental items belonging to her late father, including his ashes. She has expressed remorse and intends to appeal the conviction. Governor Tim Walz will call the special election to fill her seat in a district that has strongly supported Democrats. This resignation follows another high-profile departure from the Minnesota Senate earlier in the year.
Minnesota state senator will resign following burglary conviction despite expected appeal
Minnesota state Sen. Nicole Mitchell said she will resign from the state legislature after being found guilty on federal burglary charges.
Her vacancy will result in a special election that will test Democrats’ narrow 34-33 majority in the state Senate. She will resign on Aug. 4, giving herself two weeks to finish legislative projects, her attorney said in a statement.
“Once these tasks are completed, Senator Mitchell will tender her resignation,” the statement said. “It was the honor of her lifetime to serve her District and the State of Minnesota.”
Mitchell was found guilty last week after she was charged with breaking into her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
“I was just trying to get a couple of my dad’s things because you wouldn’t talk to me anymore,” Mitchell allegedly said to her stepmother during her arrest.
Investigators noted Mitchell said her father had recently died and that the stepmother would not talk to Mitchell or other family members.
“Clearly I’m not good at this,” Mitchell said, according to investigators. “I know I did something bad.”
Mitchell additionally told police she was at the home to collect sentimental items, including her father’s ashes, a flannel shirt, and pictures. She later testified that she traveled in the middle of the night to conduct a wellness check at the home.
Her attorney said she will file an appeal in the criminal case.
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Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) will call a special election to fill the seat. Mitchell’s suburban Twin Cities district has voted Democratic by heavy margins in recent years. She won her election in 2022 with 58% of the vote.
Also this year, Republican state Sen. Justin Eichorn resigned from the upper chamber after being charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution.
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