Democratic Senator Nicole Mitchell, 49, of Woodbury, was arrested early Monday in the northwestern Minnesota city of Detroit Lakes. She is currently being held in the Becker County Jail on suspicion of first-degree burglary. Formal charges are still pending.
Mitchell’s arrest comes as a surprise to Senate leaders and could impact legislative proceedings as the Senate is currently in its Passover break and Democrats hold a narrow one-seat majority.
Prior to her election to the Senate in 2022, Mitchell worked as a meteorologist with the U.S. military, KSTP-TV, and Minnesota Public Radio. She continues to serve as a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, commanding a weather unit.
Details about the incident are limited as the investigation is ongoing. Dispatchers received a 911 call from a homeowner at 4:45 a.m. reporting an active burglary in process at her residence. Officers searched the home and arrested Mitchell.
Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald has not yet commented on the case. Public records indicate that Mitchell’s father and stepmother lived on the same block as where she was arrested in Detroit Lakes. Mitchell’s stepmother has not responded to requests for comment.
Senate Democratic Caucus and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Johnson have both expressed surprise and emphasized the importance of accountability for legislators. The consequences of Mitchell’s actions remain to be determined both in the court of law and within her legislative role.
