Democratic State Senator Nicole Mitchell, 49, of Woodbury, was taken into custody at the Becker County Jail on suspicion of first-degree burglary. Formal charges were still pending as of Monday afternoon, according to Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steve Todd.
Mitchell did not immediately respond to a voicemail message left on the jail’s inmate voicemail system, and it is unclear whether she has an attorney who can speak on her behalf. According to the police chief, he was unaware of any attorney representation.
Mitchell’s arrest occurred during the Senate’s Passover break, creating an awkward situation for Senate Democrats, who have a slim one-seat majority with just four weeks left in the legislative session. Her absence could make it difficult to pass any legislation that lacks bipartisan support.
Mitchell previously worked as a meteorologist with the U.S. military, KSTP-TV, and Minnesota Public Radio before being elected to the Senate in 2022 from a suburban St. Paul district. As per her official profile, she currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, commanding a weather unit, and earlier in her career, she was employed by The Weather Channel.
The details surrounding Mitchell’s arrest remain limited as the investigation is ongoing. Police were dispatched to a residence at 4:45 a.m. after receiving a 911 call from a homeowner reporting an active burglary. Officers searched the home, leading to Mitchell’s arrest.
Further information is expected to be released once a complaint detailing the allegations is filed, which could occur as early as Tuesday. Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Public records and an obituary posted by a local funeral home reveal that Mitchell’s father and stepmother reside on the same block and road in Detroit Lakes where the senator was apprehended. Mitchell’s stepmother did not respond to a request for comment.
Senate leaders expressed surprise at Mitchell’s arrest. The Senate Democratic Caucus issued a statement acknowledging the situation but declined to comment further until additional information became available. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Johnson of East Grand Forks expressed shock and emphasized the public’s expectation for legislators to maintain high ethical standards. He stated that consequences should align with actions, both within the legal system and in Mitchell’s legislative role.
