EVERYWHERE.

>> Mary: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

I'M MARY LAHAMMER, COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY.

ANOTHER SENATOR HAS BEEN CHARGED AND ARRESTED FOR A FELONY.

THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE SHOCKING THE CAPITOL.

IT IS FOR SOLICITATION OF A MINOR.

WE JUST GOT WORD THAT OMORROW THE SENATE IS MEETING TO TRY TO EXPEL THE SENATOR.

SO WE'LL BE WATCHING THAT AND COVERING THAT FRIDAY ON "ALMANAC."

THERE WERE IMMEDIATE CALLS FOR HIS RES FOR EXAMPLABLE -- RESIGNATION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND IT ALL HAPPENS IN A LEGISLATURE THAT IS CLOSELY DIVIDED IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

>> WITH REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT DAVID GOTTFRIED FROM DISTRICT 40B PLEASE COME FORWARD AND TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE?

YOU WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY?

CONGRATULATIONS.

MEMBERS, WOULD YOU PLEASE WELCOME REPRESENTATIVE GOTTFRIED.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Mary: THE HOUSE IS OFFICIALLY BACK TO A TIE, AFTER A CRUCIAL SPECIAL ELECTION WIN FOR DEMOCRATS THAT BRING THEM BACK TO POWERING-SHARING.

POWER-SHARING.

REPUBLICAN LISA DEMUTH WILL REMAIN HOUSE SPEAKER.

>> I KIND OF LIKEN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION 3.0.

YOU KNOW, WE STARTED WITH A TIE, AND THEN WE WENT TO A ONE-SEAT ADVANTAGE.

NOW WE'RE BACK TO THE TIE.

>> I WAS HEARING THAT PRIMAL SCREAM OF GOD DANG IT, DO SOMETHING.

>> Mary: MEANWHILE, GOVERNOR WALZ TURNED TO THE ROAD AND THE NATIONAL POLITICAL SCENE.

>> WHEN I ASKED, WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING, I'M PROBABLY THE LAST GUY.

I DIDN'T GET IT DONE.

AND WE NEEDED TO WIN.

AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE IN THIS PICKLE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WIN.

>> WE HAVE PROBLEMS HERE IN THIS STATE, AND FOR HIM TO BE RUNNING AWAY FROM THOSE PROBLEMS IS REALLY DISCOURAGING.

THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME THIS SUMMER TO GO DO THAT.

BUT RIGHT NOW, W WE NEED EVERYBODY HERE ALL HANDS ON DECK.

>> Mary: SENATE REPUBLICANS NOW HAVE BIGGER PROBLEMS WITH THE NEWS OF THE ARREST OF SENATOR JUSTIN EICHORN FOR SOLICITING A MINOR FOR PROSTITUTION.

BLOOMINGTON POLICE SAY THE 40-YEAR-OLD FROM GRAND RAPIDS THOUGHT HE WAS MEETING UP WITH A 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHEN HE WAS BROUGHT IN TO CUSTODY.

SENATOR EICHORN IS LISTED AS HAVING A WIFE AND FOUR CHILDREN.

HE UNSEATED A DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TO GET TO THE CAPITOL BACK IN 2016.

>> OUR CANDIDATES FOR TONIGHT'S DEBATE ARE TOM SAXHAUG, THE DEMOCRATIC FARM LABOR PARTY, AND JUSTIN EICHORN, FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> I THINK THIS IS REAL OPPORTUNITY, A REAL TIME FOR CHANGE, NOT ONLY IN THE COUNTRY BUT IN SENATE DISTRICT 5 AND IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: BLOOMINGTON POLICE CHIEF BOOKER HODGES SAID, QUOTE, AS A 40-YEAR-OLD MAN, IF YOU COME TO THE ORANGE JUMPSUIT DISTRICT LOOKING TO HAVE SEX WITH SOMEONE'S CHILD, YOU CAN EXPECT THAT WE ARE GOING TO LOCK YOU UP.

ADDING, WE NEED OUR STATE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE THIS CASE AND THIS TYPE OF CONDUCT MORE SERIOUSLY.

HODGES KNOWS POLITICS, HE'S A FORMER ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> I HAD A GREAT TIME WORKING AT THE STATE FOR OMMISSIONER HARRINGTON.

BUT I'VE ALWAYS FELT THAT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS WHERE I NEED TO BE.

>> THIS IS WHERE THE TRAFFICKING ISSUE COMES IN, THIS IS PREYING ON CHILDREN, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CRIME.

>> THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP YOU GOD?

>> Mary: THE SENATE HAS A ONE-VOTE MARGIN FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAD BEEN PUSHING ETHICS CHARGES AGAINST DFL SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL, FOR HER FELONY ARREST FOR BURGLARY AT HER STEPMOTHER'S HOME.

NOW BOTH CAUCUSES HAVE TO DEAL WITH A SITTING MEMBER BEING ARRESTED FOR A FELONY.

>> I AM GOING TO NOT ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.

>> SENATE REPUBLICANS QUICKLY CALLED ON SENATOR EICHORN TO STEP DOWN.

>> BASED ON THE CHARGES THAT WE HAVE SEEN TODAY, WE'RE MORE ADAMANT IN THAT REGARD.

>> Mary: DFL MAJORITY LEADER ERIN MURPHY ADDED, QUOTE, THE FELONY ALLEGATION AGAINST SENATOR EICHORN IS DEEPLY DISTURBING, AND RAISES SERIOUS QUESTIONS THAT WILL NEED TO BE ANSWERED BY THE COURT AS WELL