Rep. Demuth elected as first Black woman to serve as MN House Speaker

Rep. Demuth sworn-in as 1st Black MN House Speaker

Rep. Lisa Demuth, representing Cold Spring, has been sworn-in as both the first Republican woman and person of color to be the speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The deal to end the weeks-long legislative standoff made history when Rep. Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) became the first person of color to be elected as Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives on Thursday.

She is also the first Republican woman to hold the position. 

READ MORE: MN House lawmakers reach power-sharing agreement to end standoff

Rep. Demuth makes history

Big picture view:

The Republican representing Cold Spring has served in the House since 2019, and was the minority caucus leader last year.

Rep. Spencer Igo (R-Wabana Township) seconded the nomination for Rep. Demuth to become House speaker. She was then voted speaker of the House by a party-line vote of 67-65. 

"I am making history on two fronts by being a Black woman, the first to hold this position, and then also the first Republican female leader, our speaker of the House," Demuth said. "It is an honor, but I look forward to the day that it will no longer be a surprise or an unusual thing."

Demuth also says she’s proud of her place in history, but she asked fellow legislators to pick her based on her qualifications, not her race.

Meanwhile, Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL-Shoreview) nominated Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) for the speaker position, which she held during the last legislative session.

The move was largely ceremonial, as the DFL party did not have the votes needed to confirm their own speaker.  

DFL, GOP reach deal to end MN House standoff

The standoff at the Minnesota House could soon be over as Democrats and Republicans have reached a power-sharing agreement. FOX 9's Bill Keller has more on the story.

MN House agreement ends standoff

The backstory:

GOP and DFL house leaders held back-to-back press conferences Thursday morning following the announcement that a power-sharing agreement had been reached the night prior.

As part of the agreement, Republicans will control House committees while they have a 67-66 advantage, until a special election for District 40B can be held.

During that time, both parties will chair the committees and have a one-seat voting advantage.

If the House returns to a 67-67 tie after the special election in Roseville, committees will be co-chaired by both parties, with an equal number of lawmakers on each committee. At that point, a bipartisan vote will be required to advance a bill.

As part of the agreement, a Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee will consist of five GOP members and three DLF members appointed by their party. That committee will be chaired by Rep. Kristen Robbins (GOP-Maple Grove), according to GOP leaders. 

The deal will expire when either party obtains an organizational majority of 68 members. 

The full text of the agreement can be found here: