In a dramatic turn for Minnesota politics, Democrat Xp Lee emerged victorious in a special election on September 16, 2025, securing a seat in the state House and setting the stage for a renewed era of power-sharing at the Capitol. Lee’s win, which garnered 61% of the vote according to unofficial results reported by the Associated Press, fills the vacancy left by the tragic assassination of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband in June. The shocking attack, carried out in their Brooklyn Park home by a man disguised as a police officer, sent ripples through the state’s political landscape and left the House in an uneasy equilibrium.
Lee’s triumph does more than just restore the House to its full complement; it erases the Republicans’ fleeting one-seat majority and revives a delicate balance that demands bipartisan cooperation. As ABC News noted, this outcome could hardly be more consequential, as the chamber was previously tied 67-67 after the 2024 elections cost Democrats their majority. Melissa Hortman herself had brokered a power-sharing agreement, relinquishing her role as speaker and passing the gavel to Republican leader Lisa Demuth, who will continue to serve through the 2026 legislative session.
But who is Xp Lee, and what does his arrival mean for Minnesota? Pronounced "X-P"—much like the initials in JD Vance—Lee’s full name is Xiongpao. His story is one of resilience and community. The son of Laotian refugees, Lee was born in a Thai refugee camp and spent his formative years in Fresno, California. He later moved to Minnesota, where he became a prominent member of the state’s large Hmong American community and served on the Brooklyn Park City Council. Professionally, he works as a health equity analyst for the Minnesota Department of Health, a role that underscores his commitment to public service and social justice.
Lee’s Republican opponent in the contest was Ruth Bittner, a real estate agent. The district itself, situated in the suburbs northwest of Minneapolis, leans heavily Democratic. Still, the stakes were high: control of the House, and by extension, the ability to shape Minnesota’s legislative agenda in a period marked by deep partisan division and, increasingly, political violence.
The context of Lee’s election cannot be ignored. The special election occurred just days after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah, the latest in a series of violent incidents that have unsettled the American political scene. According to the Associated Press, the climate of fear and uncertainty has prompted urgent calls for action on issues ranging from gun violence to public safety in government spaces.
With Lee’s victory, the power-sharing arrangement in the House is set to continue. The previous session, though tumultuous at times, did manage to pass a balanced two-year budget. Yet, the chamber’s tie means that no legislation can move forward without at least some measure of bipartisan agreement. As the Associated Press explained, “The tie in the House—and the one-vote Democratic majority in the Minnesota Senate—means some level of bipartisan agreement is required to pass anything.”
Complicating matters further, the Minnesota Senate is currently short two members. One seat was vacated by Democratic state Senator Nicole Mitchell, who resigned in July after being convicted of burglarizing her estranged stepmother’s home. The other belonged to Republican state Senator Bruce Anderson, who died in July. Special elections to fill these seats are scheduled for November 4, 2025. Given the partisan leanings of the respective districts—one heavily Democratic, the other staunchly Republican—no significant shift in the Senate’s balance of power is anticipated. However, should state Representative Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, the Democrat running for Mitchell’s seat, prevail, yet another special election would be necessary to fill her spot in the House.
Amid this legislative limbo, Governor Tim Walz is pushing for urgent action. On the same day as Lee’s victory, Walz announced his intention to seek a third four-year term as governor. He has also floated the idea of calling a special session to address school security and gun violence, especially in light of a recent church shooting that left two children dead and 21 others wounded. While Walz has reiterated his support for an assault weapons ban, he has yet to present a formal set of proposals or set a date for the session.
Yet, the path forward is anything but clear. The Associated Press observed that, “Given the close partisan divisions in each chamber, it’s unclear what, if anything, lawmakers could pass during a special session to address gun violence or school security.” In the Senate, procedural rules require at least 34 votes to pass most bills, meaning bipartisan support is a must until the chamber returns to full strength. Even then, the expected 34-33 Democratic majority would leave little margin for error.
One lawmaker at the heart of the gun safety debate is Ron Latz, the Democratic chair of the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. Following the church shootings, Latz convened an ad hoc gun violence prevention working group in hopes of forging consensus. However, a pair of contentious meetings this week revealed that Republican support for new gun restrictions remains elusive. As the legislative session approaches, the prospects for sweeping reform appear dim, at least for now.
For now, the Minnesota Legislature is not scheduled to reconvene until February 17, 2026. Until then, the state’s lawmakers—now including Xp Lee—will be navigating a political landscape fraught with uncertainty, division, and the ever-present specter of violence. The coming months will test the power-sharing agreement and the willingness of both parties to find common ground on issues that matter deeply to Minnesotans.
Xp Lee’s arrival at the Capitol marks not just a personal milestone but a turning point for Minnesota’s government. As the dust settles from a season of tragedy and upheaval, all eyes are on the state’s leaders to see whether they can rise to the moment and chart a course forward—together.
