Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell, who was recently charged with burglary, returned to the Capitol to defend herself after a motion calling for her resignation failed in the Senate. The motion, brought forth by Sen. Karin Housley, failed along party lines in the DFL-controlled Senate, with Mitchell herself voting it down. Mitchell was charged with breaking into her stepmother’s home to retrieve her father’s ashes and sentimental items, but she denied the allegations, stating that she was there to check on a family member with Alzheimer’s.
Mitchell’s return to the Capitol saw her casting a deciding vote in her defense, leading to the failed motion for her resignation. The vote was split along party lines, with Republicans criticizing the DFL for their support of Mitchell. Senate Republicans had previously filed an ethics complaint against Mitchell and were already calling for her resignation before the vote. Mitchell was subsequently relieved of her committee assignments and removed from caucus meetings until both the criminal and Senate investigations into the charges are complete.
Despite the controversy surrounding her, Mitchell is a former TV meteorologist and a commander with the Air National Guard who was elected in 2022 and is in her first term. The Ethics Subcommittee is scheduled to discuss the complaint against her on May 7. The Republican Party of Minnesota, led by David Hann, criticized the DFL’s handling of the situation, accusing them of ignoring principles of transparency and accountability in order to retain power.
Mitchell’s case has drawn attention for the political implications it carries, with some accusing her opponents of using a family tragedy for political gain. She maintained confidence that a different picture would emerge when all the facts are known, emphasizing the importance of due process guaranteed by the Constitution. The outcome of the ongoing investigations and discussions in the Senate Ethics Subcommittee will determine Mitchell’s future in the Capitol and whether she will continue to serve as a State Senator for Minnesota.
