ST. PAUL, Minn. — A Minnesota Senate ethics panel will hold a hearing Wednesday for DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell, who is accused breaking into a relative’s home earlier this year.
Mitchell is charged with first-degree burglary for allegedly breaking into her stepmother’s home in April. Investigators say she was trying to retrieve her late father’s ashes and other belongings.
Mitchell insists she was trying to check if a loved one had a health problem.
The Senate Ethics Subcommittee is trying to determine whether to open a full investigation. The panel will meet at 11 a.m
The subcommittee in May postponed action on the complaint against Mitchell pending her next court appearance, which was scheduled for June 10 but has since been postponed to July 1. Mitchell’s attorneys sent a letter to the panel saying they would not provide any new information at Wednesday’s hearing. given the new timeline, and it’s possible the panel will delay action again.
In addition to filing an ethics complaintSenate Republicans tried to expel Mitchell, but their motion failed Mitchell was the deciding vote.
Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota DFL, as well as several Republicans, have done so called on Mitchell to resign. Mitchell’s attorneys have repeatedly stated that she plans to keep her Senate seat.
Mitchell was removed from her committee assignments and caucus meetingsbut remained the leading voice Democrats to pass their agenda in the last parliamentary term with their one-seat majority, including many last minute bills before the end of the session.
Mitchell, who has also been a TV meteorologist and commander in the Air National Guard, was elected in 2022 and is in her first term.
