The clash in St. Paul over who controls the state House is now in court, after Democrats filed a lawsuit accusing Republicans of acting unlawfully when they convened for session as a majority and elected a speaker.

Steve Simon, who as secretary of state initiates the first House proceedings, ruled there was not a quorum present and adjourned the session. Republicans argued he couldn’t do that.

Following the contentious first day of the 2025 Minnesota Legislative session, where members of the DFL failed to show, partisan tensions are rising as lawmakers claim House Republicans attempted to select a speaker.

State Rep. Brad Tabke, a DFL Minnesota House incumbent who narrowly won reelection, should be able to begin a new term, a judge ruled Tuesday — despite a GOP election challenge centering on a pool of ballots that were cast but never counted.

After Republicans discussed unseating a DFL representative, Democrats said they would not show up on the first day to “protect the will of the voters.”