A state senator and former TV meteorologist was arrested early Monday in Detroit Lakes, northwestern Minnesota, on suspicion of burglary, authorities said.
Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell, 49, of Woodbury, was being arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary. Formal charges were still pending Monday afternoon, Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steve Todd stated.
Her arrest comes at a difficult moment for Senate Democrats, who have just a one-seat majority with four weeks left in the legislative term
Mitchell did not immediately return a call left to the jail’s voicemail system for inmates. It is unclear whether she has a legal counsel who could comment on her behalf. The police chief claimed he was unaware of one.
Mitchell was detained during the Senate’s Passover vacation. Her arrest comes at a difficult moment for Senate Democrats, who have just a one-seat majority with four weeks left in the legislative term. Her absence would make it harder to pass any legislation that lacks bipartisan support.
Mitchell had worked as a meteorologist for the US military, KSTP-TV, and Minnesota Public Radio before being elected to the Senate in 2022 from a suburban St. Paul district.
According to her official biography, she continues to serve as a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, overseeing a weather unit. She previously worked for The Weather Channel, according to her profile.
Why was the Minnesota state senator arrested?
At 4:45 a.m., dispatchers got a 911 call from a resident reporting “an active burglary in process at her residence,” according to Todd. Officers searched the house and arrested Mitchell, Todd stated.
The police chief stated that he could provide a few other details because the case was still being investigated. He said he was waiting for a response from the county attorney’s office and that a complaint outlining the charges might not be filed until Tuesday.
Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the matter.
According to public records and an obituary posted by a Detroit Lakes funeral home, Mitchell’s father, who died last month, and stepmother lived on the same block on Detroit Lakes Road where the senator was detained. The stepmother did not immediately return a request for comment.
Mitchell’s arrest surprised Senate leaders. The Senate Democratic Caucus issued a statement saying it is “aware of the situation and has no comment pending further information.”
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks, said he was shocked but knew very few details.
“The public expects Legislators to meet a high standard of conduct,” Johnson said in a statement. “As information comes out, we expect the consequences to meet the actions, both in the court of law and in her role at the legislature.”