The early results of today’s primary election are still unofficial or incomplete, but Rep. Ilhan Omar’s victory in the closely-watched DFL primary in the 5th Congressional District is the top story of the election so far. There are also a number of DFL incumbent state legislators trailing to challengers tonight, including Sen. Jeff Hayden (Minneapolis), Sen. Erik Simonson (Duluth), Rep. Raymond Dehn (Minneapolis), and Rep. John Lesch (St. Paul). I’ll plan to touch base tomorrow as the election results go final.
Special Session Set for Tomorrow
On Friday, Governor Tim Walz issued a proclamation calling for a special session of the legislature to convene tomorrow – Wednesday, August 12. Walz is required to call the legislature back into special session each time he extends his peacetime emergency powers by 30 days. The governor’s current peacetime emergency powers are scheduled to expire on August 12.
The House and Senate will respectively hold votes on whether to end the governor’s peacetime emergency powers. Both chambers will convene at noon. The Republican-controlled Senate is expected to vote to end the peacetime emergency powers while the DFL-controlled House is expected to vote to uphold them. A majority vote of both chambers of the legislature is required for the peacetime emergency powers to cease.
Legislative leaders are not expected to take up any major bills, including a bonding bill, during the August special session.
Amos A. Briggs | Government Relations
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