Two state legislative special elections were held in Minnesota on Monday, sending two more University of Minnesota alums to the Legislature.
Two state legislative special elections were held in Minnesota on Monday, sending two more University of Minnesota alums to the Legislature:
Senate District 54
The first was in Senate District 54 that includes Cottage Grove, Hastings, and communities in the southeast metro. DFL candidate Karla Bingham defeated Republican candidate Denny McNamara with 51 percent of the vote. Senator-elect Bingham is a current Washington County Commissioner who previously served in the Minnesota House from 2007-2010. She will complete the remainder of her predecessor’s term and face reelection in 2020.
Senate District 54 was previously held by a Democrat, so the balance of power in the Minnesota Senate does not change. It remains a 34-33 Republican majority.
However, when Governor Mark Dayton appointed his Lt. Gov. Tina Smith to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Al Franken, Republican State Senator Michelle Fischbach became lieutenant governor due to her position as President of the Senate. If the courts determine that Senator Fischbach cannot hold both the position of Senator and Lt. Governor at the same time, she may be required to step down from her Senate seat. This would lead to a 33-33 tie in the Minnesota Senate, altering the balance of power.
House District 23B
The second special election yesterday was in House District 23B south of Mankato. The District includes communities throughout Blue Earth, Waseca, Le Sueur, and Watonwan counties. Republican Jeremy Munson defeated Democrat Melissa Wagner with approximately 60 percent of the vote. Representative-elect Munson is the Chair of the Republican party in the First Congressional District.
Representative-elect Munson’s election does not alter the balance of power in the Minnesota House. The Republicans will maintain a 77-57 majority.
Thanks,
J.D. Burton
Chief Government Relations Officer
University of Minnesota