Mitchell will resign no later than Aug. 4, and lists four reasons she needs the extra time before exiting.
ST PAUL, Minn. — The law firm that represents Nicole Mitchell says she will resign from the Minnesota Senate, but not immediately.
Mitchell was convicted by a Becker County jury Friday of two counts related to a break-in at her stepmother’s house in Detroit Lakes. She had previously promised to step down if found guilty.
In a document obtained by KARE, Mitchell’s attorneys say she will tender her resignation no later than 5 p.m. on Aug. 4. She intends to use up to two weeks to complete tasks related to her work in the legislature.
Among them, according to her attorneys:
Wrap up outstanding legislative projects – Senator Mitchell’s constituents deserve for her legislative projects to be finalized or ready to hand off to her successor before she resigns.Complete ongoing constituent services – Mitchell’s constituents also deserve to have their outstanding issues handled before her resignation.Transition legislative staff – Mitchell’s staff deserves her help in finding new employment, as her conduct should not negatively impact their careers and livelihoods.Obtain health insurance for her son – Mitchell’s biological son receives his health insurance through her job in the Senate. She needs time to find gap coverage for her son as he will no longer be insured upon her resignation.
Once these tasks are completed, the document says, Mitchell will tender her resignation.
It didn’t take long for Senate Republicans to blast the letter and Mitchell’s delayed resignation.
“Senator Mitchell was convicted of two felonies; she doesn’t get to give the Senate two weeks’ notice,” wrote Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) in a press release Monday. “Democrats shielded Mitchell for 15 months to protect their political power, but a jury needed just three hours to confirm what was already clear: she shouldn’t be a senator. Not after April 22, 2024. Not in January of 2025. And not today.”
Johnson also asserted that the only reason Mitchell is still in office is because her DFL counterparts needed her vote to “pass their agenda” during the 2025 legislative session.
“They put political power ahead of Minnesotans,” Johnson insisted, “and Mitchell continues to put her personal interests ahead of institutional integrity.”
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy also released a statement, saying, “Nicole Mitchell has gotten the due process she is entitled to and was convicted by a jury of her peers. Her attorney conveyed today that she will resign her Senate seat by Monday, August 4.
“With the clarity brought by the resolution of this case, the Senate DFL Caucus will continue to focus on issues that improve the lives of Minnesota families and communities.”
When Mitchell (DFL-District 47, Woodbury) does resign, it will make the situation at the State Capitol even more murky: DFLers and Republicans will be deadlocked at 33 members apiece until a special election can be held for Mitchell’s seat.