On a brisk Tuesday in September, the political landscape of Minnesota shifted once again, but this time, the change carried echoes of tragedy, resilience, and a call for bipartisan cooperation. Xiongpao "Xp" Lee, a former city councilman whose life story is intertwined with the immigrant experience, emerged victorious in the special election for Minnesota House District 34B. Lee’s win, with a commanding 60.8% of the vote over Republican Ruth Bittner, restored the state House to a rare 67-67 partisan deadlock—an arrangement that, for better or worse, demands collaboration across the aisle.
The circumstances leading to this election were anything but ordinary. The seat had been held by Democratic Rep. Melissa Hortman, a towering figure in Minnesota politics, until her life was cut short in June. Hortman and her husband, Mark, were assassinated in their Brooklyn Park home by Vance Boelter, a man who allegedly impersonated a police officer to carry out the attack. The shocking incident, which also left another legislator and his wife wounded, sent ripples of fear and sorrow through the state and beyond. As reported by the Associated Press, Boelter faces federal and state charges for murder, attempted murder, and other crimes stemming from the June 14 attacks.
In the aftermath, the Minnesota House found itself in a unique predicament. The 2024 elections had cost Democrats their majority, resulting in a chamber evenly split between the two major parties. To break the ensuing gridlock, former House Speaker Melissa Hortman negotiated a power-sharing deal. She stepped down as speaker, allowing Republican Lisa Demuth to take the gavel, while legislative committees became co-chaired by both parties. As NextShark noted, this arrangement forced a level of bipartisan agreement rarely seen in today’s polarized climate—no bill could pass without some measure of support from both sides.
Lee’s victory not only preserves this delicate balance but also carries deep personal and symbolic significance. Born in a Thai refugee camp after his parents fled war-torn Laos during the Vietnam War, Lee’s journey to Minnesota is emblematic of the American dream. After spending his early years in Fresno, California, Lee eventually established himself in Minnesota, serving as a health equity strategist for the state’s Department of Health and representing Brooklyn Park on the city council through 2024. His story resonates powerfully, especially within Minnesota’s Hmong community, which at 95,000 residents is the nation’s second largest after California. The Twin Cities alone are home to roughly 90,000 Hmong Americans, making Lee’s election a milestone for representation and visibility.
Upon securing his win, Lee was quick to acknowledge the legacy of his predecessor. "We did our best to make her proud: knocking on doors daily, making phone calls, and texting every neighbor we could," Lee stated in his victory speech, as quoted by the Associated Press. He pledged to "work hard every day" in service of the district, promising to continue Hortman’s commitment to policy priorities and constituent engagement. Lee’s platform centers on expanding state healthcare programs, increasing investment in education, and enacting limits on assault-style weapons—issues that have only gained urgency in the wake of recent violence.
The race drew national attention, with Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin offering praise for Lee’s dedication to expanding access to education, affordable health care, and good-paying jobs. Martin’s statement, reported by the Associated Press, also touched on the broader issue of political violence: "Across Minnesota, our hearts are still broken by the horrific assassination that stole Melissa and her husband Mark. Political violence is a scourge that has taken far too many lives. Enough is enough. It must end now. And in every case, each of us has a responsibility to condemn and reject political violence wherever it rears its head."
The specter of violence has loomed large over Minnesota politics this year. Just days before the special election, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated in Utah—a grim reminder that no political faction is immune to such threats. Both Lee and Bittner addressed these anxieties during their campaigns. Lee expressed his desire to calm the "charged atmosphere" following Kirk’s death, while Bittner admitted the violence made her briefly reconsider her candidacy. Ultimately, she concluded, "there’s no way to solve this problem if we shrink back in fear."
The implications of Lee’s win extend beyond the boundaries of District 34B. Rep. Zack Stephenson, the newly elected Democratic leader in the Minnesota House and a close ally of Hortman, noted that Lee’s victory restores the Democratic caucus to full strength ahead of a potential special session. Governor Tim Walz is considering calling lawmakers back to address school security and gun violence, particularly after a recent church shooting that left two students dead and 21 injured. "That means we’ll prioritize the safety of our kids instead of access to weapons of war, and we’ll make our economy work better for all Minnesotans, not just the billionaires," Stephenson said, as reported by the Associated Press.
The bipartisan framework now preserved in the Minnesota House is, by any measure, unusual in modern American politics. Republican Lisa Demuth continues to serve as House Speaker, while most committees are evenly split between the parties. This arrangement, born of necessity after a three-week Democratic boycott ended with Hortman’s compromise, means that legislation can only advance through genuine negotiation and, at times, uncomfortable compromise. For some, it’s a model of functional government; for others, a recipe for gridlock. But as Minnesota faces pressing issues—gun violence, education funding, health care access—it’s clear that cooperation isn’t just preferable; it’s required.
Looking ahead, the state’s political calendar remains busy. Two more special elections are scheduled for November 4 to fill vacant Senate seats—one left by Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell after her resignation following a burglary conviction, and another by Republican Sen. Bruce Anderson after his death. Both districts are seen as safe for their respective parties, so control of the Senate is unlikely to change. However, should state Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, the Democratic candidate for Mitchell’s seat, win, yet another special election will be needed to fill her House seat, keeping Minnesota’s political machinery in constant motion.
Lee’s triumph is not just a personal achievement or a win for his party; it’s a testament to the enduring strength of Minnesota’s immigrant communities, the power of civic participation, and the state’s determination to move forward even in the face of violence and loss. As the dust settles from this hard-fought race, all eyes will be on the Minnesota House to see whether this rare experiment in power-sharing can deliver results for the people it serves.
