“For more than a year, State Senator Nicole Mitchell operated on the periphery of the Minnesota Legislature as she awaited trial on felony charges,” the New York Times reports.“Her fellow Democrats, who held a one-seat majority for much of that time, continued to rely on her vote, but no longer included her in caucus meetings or committees. All the while, Republicans were trying to expel her from the chamber.”“On Monday, just days after a jury convicted her of burglary, Ms. Mitchell said she would soon step down. By leaving office, Ms. Mitchell is likely to avoid the possibility of being removed.”“It appeared on Monday morning that her departure would end the Democrats’ majority in the chamber. But in a somber turn, Senate officials announced later in the day that a Republican member, Senator Bruce Anderson, had died, keeping the balance of power in St. Paul unchanged.”