“At this point, there is no need for a power-sharing agreement, because there is not equal power in the state of Minnesota — there are 67 Republicans, 66 Democrats,” said House Leader Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring. “What that does is gives us an organizational majority, and we fully intend to exercise that right.”

Minnesota House Democrats pledged Monday to boycott the start of the legislative session if Republicans attempt to use their temporary 67-66 majority to take control of the chamber and elect GOP Leader Lisa Demuth as speaker.

Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, proudly introduced herself as the House speaker-designate at a news conference on Monday, saying there’s no longer need for a power-sharing agreement after a newly elected Democrat resigned his seat for not meeting the residency requirement.

Republicans say that even with a temporary 67-66 majority, they plan to act as the majority. That means they’d presumably be able to establish committee control and elect a Republican House Speaker.

Minnesota could see one of the most contested starts to a legislative session when state lawmakers meet in St. Paul next Tuesday. The DFL is threatening to skip the start of the session if there’s no power-sharing agreement with Republicans.

A major power dispute has erupted at the Minnesota State Capitol, jeopardizing the start of the legislative session next week.