Lisa Demuth (/ˈdeɪməθ/ DAY-məth;[1] born February 10, 1967)[2] is an American politician serving since 2025 as the speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Demuth represents District 13A in central Minnesota, which includes the cities of St. Joseph and Cold Spring and parts of Stearns County. She has served since 2023 as leader of the House Republican caucus and from 2023 to 2025 as the minority leader of the House of Representatives.[2]

In 2025, House Republicans voted to elect Demuth Speaker of the House. Her speakership was disputed by Democrats, and the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a quorum had not been present, invalidating Demuth's election.[3][4][5] On February 5, 2025, the two parties reached an agreement to end the DFL boycott of the legislative session that included making Demuth speaker.[6][7] She was elected to the role on February 6.[8]

Early life, education, and career

Demuth was born in Paynesville, Minnesota. She graduated from Bloomington Kennedy High School.[9]

Demuth co-owns and manages commercial property with her husband, Nick. She was elected to the Rocori school board as a write-in candidate in 2007 and reelected twice.[9][10]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Demuth was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018. She was recruited to run by the former representative for 13A, Jeff Howe, who was stepping down to run for the Minnesota Senate.[11] During the 2021-22 legislative session, Demuth served as an assistant minority leader in the House.[2] She opposes abortion and supported fetal heartbeat legislation in the Minnesota House.[12]

After the 2022 Minnesota House of Representatives Election saw Republicans fail to flip the House from Democratic control, the Republican caucus elected Demuth minority leader. She has portrayed herself as more collaborative and calmer than her predecessor, Kurt Daudt. According to the American Conservative Union's scorecard, Demuth was ranked as less conservative than the average Republican legislator.[12]

Demuth is the first African American and first biracial person to serve as minority leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives and the House Republican caucus.[2] According to Demuth, she asked fellow legislators to pick her based on her qualifications, not her race.[13]

2025 speaker dispute

Main article: 2025 Minnesota House Speaker dispute

In the opening session of the 94th Minnesota Legislature on January 14, 2025, only the 67 elected House Republicans attended. The 66 elected DFL members were absent in an effort to prevent a quorum.[14] Secretary of State Steve Simon presided over the chamber and left, ruling that there was no quorum. Republican members proceeded to elect Demuth as Speaker of the House and continued with normal legislative business for two weeks with Demuth presiding.[15] On January 24, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that because of the absence of a quorum, Demuth's election and all action that followed were invalid.[5] On February 5, 2025, the two parties reached an agreement to end the DFL boycott of the legislative session that included making Demuth speaker.[6][7]

Electoral history

2018 Election for Minnesota State Representative District 13A[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Lisa Demuth 11,348 61.01%
Democratic (DFL) Jim Read 7,243 38.94%
2020 Election for Minnesota State Representative District 13A[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Lisa Demuth 16,056 70.75%
Democratic (DFL) Katy Westlund 6,610 29.13%
2022 Election for Minnesota State Representative District 13A[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Lisa Demuth 15,190 74.01%
Democratic (DFL) Andrea Robinson 5,324 25.94%

Personal life

Demuth and her husband, Nick, reside in Cold Spring, Minnesota. They have four children.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Name Pronunciation Guide for House Members 2023". Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Demuth, Lisa". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  3. ^ "Republicans override Simon's adjournment of House, elect Demuth as speaker". ABC 6 News. January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  4. ^ "Democrats boycott first day of Minnesota House session but GOP votes to appoint speaker anyway". The Associated Press. January 14, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Jacobsen, Jeremiah (January 24, 2025). "MN Supreme Court rules on Minnesota House quorum, effectively voiding GOP action thus far". MPR News. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  6. ^ a b KTTC Staff (February 6, 2025). "UPDATE: Agreement appears to be reached in Minnesota House, Demuth set to be speaker". KTTC. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Faircloth, Ryan (February 6, 2025). "Democrats and Republicans reach deal to end Minnesota House stalemate". www.startribune.com. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  8. ^ Schmidt, Corey (February 6, 2025). "Demuth chosen as Minnesota House speaker as power-sharing agreement ends DFL boycott". St Cloud Times. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Knaak, Mike (October 19, 2018). "House 13A candidates focus on health care, jobs - The News Leaders". The Newsleaders. Von Meyer Publishing. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  10. ^ Hertel, Nora G. (June 6, 2018). "Rocori school board member Lisa Demuth vies for Rep. Jeff Howe's legislative seat". St. Cloud Times. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  11. ^ Session Interview (Video) 2019 House Interview. "Video - Minnesota Legislature". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved January 15, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ a b "New House Republican leader Lisa Demuth vows 'calm and conversational' style". MinnPost. December 5, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  13. ^ Olson, Rochelle. "Lisa Demuth is first woman, person of color to lead Minnesota House GOP caucus". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  14. ^ Bierschbach, Briana; Olson, Rochelle; Faircloth, Ryan (January 14, 2025). "Minnesota House Democrats boycott first day of session, but Republicans move forward anyway". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  15. ^ Hubbard, Rob (January 14, 2025). "Simon says no quorum, Republicans elect Demuth speaker". Minnesota House of Representatives. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  16. ^ Minnesota Secretary of State. "2018 Results for State Representative District 13A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  17. ^ Minnesota Secretary of State. "2020 Results for State Representative District 13A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  18. ^ Minnesota Secretary of State. "2022 Results for State Representative District 13A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
Minnesota House of Representatives
Preceded by Minority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives
2023–2025 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives
2025–present 		Incumbent
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Demuth
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