Supreme Court Nullifies Election for State House Seat

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court has canceled a November election in a rural House seat by ruling that the incumbent Republican doesn't live inside the district.

Accusations that Rep. Bob Barrett lived outside of his Chisago County district go back years. Thursday's decision triggers a special election in February. Barrett won't be eligible to run for a fourth term in that contest.

Democratic activists challenged Barrett's candidacy by arguing he lived in a neighboring district. They repeatedly visited Barrett's listed home in Taylors Falls to show it wasn't being used.

The Supreme Court decision follows a lower court's decision that would have tossed Barrett's name off the ballot.

Barrett says he's disappointed with the ruling and accused Democrats of violating his family's privacy.