Judge hands Republicans control of MN House after ruling Democrat victor ineligible

District Court Judge Leonardo Castro on Friday ruled that Democrat Curtis Johnson did not meet the residency requirement to serve in the Minnesota House, enjoining him from receiving an election certificate and saying the seat should be filled through a special election.

Castro, in a blistering opinion, said Johnson did not meet the requirement that he live in the district he intended to serve for six months prior to the November election.

“The reasons for the (residency) mandate...