Attempt to expedite ethics probe of Minnesota state senator charged with burglary fails on tie vote

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Republican attempt to expedite an ethics investigation of a Democratic Minnesota state senator who’s facing a felony burglary charge failed on a tie vote Wednesday.

Sen. Nicole Mitchell, of Woodbury, was absent as the Senate reconvened for the first time since her arrest early Monday at her estranged stepmother’s home in the northwestern Minnesota city of Detroit Lakes. Mitchell was charged Tuesday with one count of first-degree burglary and allowed to go free after a day in jail.

Mitchell’s arrest has already complicated the remainder of the 2024 legislative session because Senate Democrats hold just a one-seat majority, making her vote critical for passing disputed legislation. Republican leaders have called on her to resign. But Democratic Majority Leader Erin Murphy, of St. Paul, told reporters that Mitchell will be allowed to vote remotely.