Election Recap
While the national storyline for last week’s election may have centered on Democratic wins, the most notable result in Minnesota did not involve partisan politics. Instead, the biggest surprise of last Tuesday’s election was the Saint Paul mayoral race as current Minnesota State Rep. Kaohly Her (DFL-St. Paul) defeated two-term incumbent Mayor Melvin Carter. Her is the first woman and first Hmong American mayor in Saint Paul history. Saint Paul voters also resoundingly supported a ballot initiative providing the city authority to impose administrative sanctions, a tool many described as essential to ensuring public safety and holding out-of-state property owners accountable.
Across the river, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey won his bid for a third term, beating his closest opponent, current state Sen. Omar Fateh (DFL-Minneapolis), after a second round of tabulation in the election that used ranked choice voting. In the Minneapolis City Council races, all but one incumbent held on to their seat in the Minneapolis City Council race, as all thirteen wards were up for election. In Ward 7, Elizabeth Shaffer unseated incumbent Katie Cashman in what was the city council’s most expensive race. The new member in Ward 5, Pearll Warren, will take the seat vacated by Jeremiah Ellison. Soren Stevenson in Ward 8 and Jamison Whiting in Ward 11 are also new members, filling the vacated seats of Andrea Jenkins (W8) and Emily Koski (W11).
Last week also saw special elections for two seats in the Minnesota Senate. With the incumbent party winning both seats Democrats will retain their 34-33 majority. Current state Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jager (DFL-Woodbury) defeated Republican candidate Dwight Dorau in District 47 and Republican Michael Holmstrom defeated DFL candidate Louis McNutt in District 29.
Political Update
Latest Developments – Steps Toward Reopening Government
This is Day 41 of the government shutdown. It now appears the shutdown may finally end this week, though the final steps could take longer than expected.
The Senate voted 60–40 late Sunday to advance a stopgap funding measure to reopen the government through January 30. The legislation also includes a three-bill package providing FY2026 funding for Military Construction–Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and the Legislative Branch. It reverses the mass layoffs of federal employees during the shutdown and prohibits further layoffs through January 30.
Eight Senate Democrats broke with their party to support the measure after securing a commitment from Senate Majority Leader John Thune to hold a vote by mid-December on the future of health care subsidies. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer opposed the deal, drawing criticism from within his caucus.
The Senate reconvenes at 11 a.m. today, with the goal of completing votes before Veterans Day. The House could consider the package as soon as Wednesday or Thursday. House leadership has indicated that members will receive 36 hours’ notice before a vote.
Democratic Challenges
The endgame has become increasingly complex for Senate Democrats. Many are frustrated with how the negotiations unfolded, arguing that their strategy did not produce the desired concessions from Republicans. While last week’s election results strengthened Democrats’ political standing, they did not shift the dynamics of the shutdown.
After 40 days, it became evident that Senate Republicans would not negotiate on health care subsidies until the government reopened. Some Democratic senators decided to move forward, believing that continuing the shutdown would not force new engagement from Republicans.
Senators Tim Kaine, Jeanne Shaheen, and Angus King have already begun discussions with Republican counterparts, including Senator Bill Cassidy, to draft a bipartisan health care bill capable of passing the Senate. Democrats still retain leverage to revisit the issue when funding expires on January 30.
Political Fallout
Senator Schumer faces growing criticism for his handling of the shutdown and inability to maintain caucus unity. Several 2026 Democratic Senate candidates have suggested they will not support him for leadership positions. Progressive members, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, have called for stronger efforts to defend health care policy priorities.
Historically, shutdowns have rarely produced legislative victories for the initiating party. In this case, Democrats were unable to secure a long-term extension of the health care subsidies, and the prolonged standoff began to harm low-income families dependent on federal programs such as SNAP.
Despite the outcome, Democrats succeeded in refocusing national attention on health care, ensuring the issue remains central in the 2026 election cycle.
Looking Ahead
The Senate is expected to complete its work on the funding package in the coming days, setting the stage for House consideration later this week.
We will continue to monitor these developments closely on behalf of your ongoing interests in Washington.
