Minnesota House Seats to be decided in January Special Elections
Minnesota voters will head to the polls again on January 27th to fill two vacant seats in the state House of Representatives. These special general elections follow primary contests held this week, aiming to restore balance to a closely divided legislature. The openings stem from recent electoral successes of former representatives, now stepping into new roles.
The Vacancies: A Shift in Representation
The need for these special elections arose after Representative kaohly Her (DFL-St. Paul) was elected mayor of St. Paul in November. Simultaneously, Representative Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger (DFL-Woodbury) won a special election for Senate District 47, following the resignation of Nicole Mitchell due to a burglary conviction.
These departures created vacancies in Districts 47A and 64A, both historically strongholds for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party.
District 64A: A Competitive Primary
Six DFL candidates vied for their party’s nomination in District 64A, representing the Union Park, Macalester-Groveland, and Summit-University neighborhoods of St. Paul. Ultimately, Luger-nikolai emerged victorious.
Other contenders included:
* Beth Fraser, former Minnesota deputy secretary of state
* Matt Hill, an aide on the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners
* Lois Quam, a health care executive instrumental in implementing MinnesotaCare
* John Zwier, an assistant state attorney general
Luger-Nikolai will now face Republican candidate Dan Walsh, a local business owner, in the January general election. Given the district’s strong Democratic leanings – Her consistently won with over 80% of the vote – Luger-nikolai is widely favored.
District 47A: Shelley buck Secures DFL Nomination
In District 47A,encompassing parts of Woodbury and southern Maplewood,Shelley Buck secured the DFL endorsement. Buck brings notable experience to the table, having previously served as president of the Prairie Island Tribal Council and as director of Owámniyomni, a Dakota-led nonprofit focused on land restoration around St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis.
She competed against David Azcona and Juli Servatius for the nomination. Notably,no Republican candidate filed to run in this district,meaning Tuesday’s primary effectively decided the election.
Impact on the House Balance
Currently, the Minnesota House is split 67-65 in favor of the Republicans. These special elections present an opportunity to shift that balance. Experts predict that a DFL victory in both races would return the chamber to a 67-67 tie, mirroring the outcome of the 2024 election.
This balance is crucial as the Minnesota Legislature is scheduled to reconvene on February 17th, and these representatives will play a vital role in upcoming legislative sessions.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the special elections, offering readers a clear understanding of the context, candidates, and potential impact. It aims to be a reliable source of details for anyone following Minnesota politics.
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