WOODBURY, MN (WNN) – Minnesota Senate Republicans say Sen. Nicole Mitchell (DFL-Woodbury) should not have cast a deciding vote last month that stopped a move to allow a vote on expelling her from the Senate. In a second ethics complaint they plan to file against her this week, they argue she violated the Senate’s conflict-of-interest rule.
“Since her arrest last April, Senate Republicans have been clear: Sen. Mitchell’s actions have damaged the integrity of the Senate and distracted us from the important work we need to do,” Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson of East Grand Forks said in a news release. “Unfortunately, Senate Democrats have shielded Sen. Mitchell from serious consequences to advance their agenda.’
Sen. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) said Mitchell has a conflict of interest in any vote about her political future. “Any vote to expel her from the Senate would result in the loss of her employment as a Senator and would immediately end access to the salary and benefits afforded to a legislator,” he said in the release. “Members are expected to abstain from votes for which they have a financial interest.”
Once the second complaint is filed, the Senate Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct must meet to review both the new and the updated complaints within 30 days.
In the Senate, Democrats hold 34 seats and Republicans hold 33, so Mitchell’s removal would cause Democrats to lose control.
Republicans also updated their original ethics complaint to reflect the second felony count prosecutors filed against Mitchell charging her with possession of tools used in a burglary or theft.
She was arrested in Detroit Lakes in her stepmother’s basement and originally only charged with one count of felony burglary.
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) released a statement that Mitchell is owed due process. “That includes the adjudication of her case in court, and the consideration of ethics in the Senate,” she said.
Mitchell has pleaded not guilty to the charges. A settlement conference for her case is scheduled for June 9 in Becker District Court. If no agreement is reached, her trial would begin June 15.
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