DFL trifecta returns to Minnesota Capitol for 94th Legislature

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) – Minnesota’s 94th legislative session will include a DFL trifecta in St. Paul.

Following last week’s election, the state Senate retained party control and the House flipped to a DFL majority. Gov.-elect Amy Klobuchar will lead the state as lawmakers begin the new biennium on Jan. 12, 2027.

Results not yet official

Election results are not official until certified by the State Canvassing Board. Certification is set to happen late next week.

Two recounts are expected in the Senate and one in the House. The DFL will maintain majorities in both chambers regardless of the recount outcomes.

Chamber breakdown

The DFL currently holds a 77-57 advantage in the House and a 39-28 advantage in the Senate.

Fifty-five new state lawmakers are set to take office in the new year. Eleven incumbents were defeated. All but one were Republicans.

During the past two years, the House operated with a 67-67 tie between Republicans and the DFL. The DFL appears to have picked up 10 seats last week, with Republicans losing 10 seats.

In the Senate, which was under DFL leadership during the last biennium, Republicans are projected to have lost five seats and the DFL to have gained five seats.

Past party control

The DFL last had party control of the House, Senate and governor’s office in 2024. Republicans last controlled all three in 1969.

In the past 50 years, Minnesota has had eight legislative biennia with a split House and Senate. The House also tied in 1979.

Several sessions in the past five decades included DFL majorities in both chambers with a Republican governor. The most recent was in 2009, when Tim Pawlenty was governor. Minnesota also has had a DFL governor, Mark Dayton, with Republicans in control of both chambers in the 2017-2018 session.

Constitutional officers

Minnesota’s constitutional officers will all remain DFL. In addition to the governor and lieutenant governor, they include the attorney general, secretary of state and state auditor.

Find stories like this and more, in our apps.