Minnesota State Senator Arrested on Burglary Charges, Shocks Democratic Party

Authorities said that a Democratic state senator from Minnesota was arrested on Monday morning after a homeowner called to report a burglary.

According to online jail records, Sen. Nicole Mitchell (49), was booked in the Becker County Jail Monday for a suspected first-degree burglary.

Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steve Todd said that a homeowner in the 700 block of Granger Road reported a burglary at around 4:45 am. The chief stated that officers arrested Mitchell after searching the house.

Todd stated that few details were available as the case was still under investigation.

Becker County Attorney decided on formal charges.

Mitchell, a Woodbury resident, has represented District 47 in the state Senate since 2022, when she was first elected. She worked as a weather reporter for KSTP-TV, Minnesota Public Radio, and is currently a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard.

The Senate Democratic Caucus said in a press release to The Associated Press that they are “aware of this situation and have no comment pending more information.”

Mark Johnson, the Republican Senate Minority leader from East Grand Forks released a press release to inform news outlets that he had been shocked by this arrest but didn’t know more details.

Johnson stated that the public expects legislators to adhere to a high code of conduct. As information becomes available, we expect that the actions of the legislator will be met with the appropriate consequences, both in court and at the legislature.

Mitchell’s arrest may pose a challenge for Democrats who hold a one-seat majority in the Senate. There are still four weeks remaining in the current legislative session.