List of special elections to the Minnesota Senate

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This is a list of special elections to the Minnesota Senate. Such elections are called by the governor of Minnesota to fill vacancies that occur when a member of the Minnesota Senate dies or resigns before the next general election. Winners of these elections serve the remainder of the term and are usually candidates in the next election for their districts.

Contents

General elections are held in November of the second year following the decennial United States Census and every four years thereafter. New Legislatures convene on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of the following year.

List of special elections

DistrictLegislatureDatePredecessorWinnerCause
32 81st April 13, 1999Steven Morse (DFL) Bob Kierlin (R)Resigned to become Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
18 81st November 2, 1999 Janet Johnson (DFL)Twyla Ring (DFL)Death (brain tumor).
4 81st December 14, 1999David Ten Eyck (DFL)Tony Kinkel (DFL)Resigned to accept appointment to the Crow Wing County District Court.
7 82nd January 29, 2002 Sam Solon (DFL) Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL)Death (malignant melanoma)
67 82nd January 29, 2002 Randy Kelly (DFL) Mee Moua (DFL)Resigned upon election to the mayoralty of Saint Paul.
37 83rd July 13, 2004David Knutson (R) Chris Gerlach (R)Resigned to accept appointment to the Minnesota 1st Judicial District Court.
19 84th November 22, 2005Mark Ourada (R) Amy Koch (R)Resigned to take a position with non-profit Center for Energy and Economic Development.
43 84th November 22, 2005 David Gaither (R) Terri Bonoff (DFL)Resigned to become Chief of Staff to Governor Tim Pawlenty.
15 84th December 27, 2005 Dave Kleis (R) Tarryl Clark (DFL)Resigned upon election to the mayoralty of Saint Cloud.
25 85th January 3, 2008Tom Neuville (R) Kevin Dahle (DFL)Resigned to accept appointment to the Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court.
63 86th November 4, 2008Dan Larson (DFL)Kenneth Kelash (DFL)Resigned to become a lobbyist.
16 86th November 4, 2008 Betsy Wergin (R) Lisa Fobbe (DFL)Resigned to serve on the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
26 86th January 26, 2010 Dick Day (R) Mike Parry (R)Resign to become a full-time lobbyist for the state's two horse-racing tracks.
66 87th April 10, 2011 Ellen Anderson (DFL) Mary Jo McGuire (DFL)Resigned to accept chair of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
61 87th October 10, 2011 Linda Berglin (DFL) Jeff Hayden (DFL)Resigned to accept a job as a Hennepin County health policy program manager.
46 87th October 10, 2011 Linda Scheid (DFL) Chris Eaton (DFL)Death (ovarian cancer).
59 87th January 10, 2012 Larry Pogemiller (DFL) Kari Dziedzic (DFL)Resigned to become Director of Higher Education.
20 87th April 10, 2012 Gary Kubly (DFL) Lyle Koenen (DFL)Death (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
35 89th February 9, 2016 Branden Petersen (R) Jim Abeler (R)Resigned effective October 31, 2015. [1]
54 90th February 12, 2018 Dan Schoen (DFL) Karla Bigham (DFL)Resigned due to allegations of sexual harassment. [2]
13 90th November 6, 2018 Michelle Fischbach (R) Jeff Howe (R)Resigned to take the oath of office as lieutenant governor. [3]
11 91st February 5, 2019 Tony Lourey (DFL) Jason Rarick (R)Resigned to be appointed Commissioner of Human Services. [4]
45 93rd November 5, 2024 Kelly Morrison (DFL)TBDResigned to run for Minnesota's 3rd congressional district. [5]

See also

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References

  1. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (September 24, 2015). "Sen. Branden Petersen, pro-gay-marriage GOPer, resigning". Pioneer Press . Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  2. Xiong, Chao; Coolican, J. Patrick (November 23, 2017). "Despite resignation, Sen. Dan Schoen's lawyer says DFLer 'never meant to sexually harass anybody'". Star Tribune . Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  3. Golden, Erin; Coolican, J. Patrick (May 25, 2018). "Fischbach resigns from state Senate, is sworn in as lieutenant governor". Star Tribune . Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  4. Coolican, J. Patrick (January 3, 2019). "Gov.-elect Tim Walz names seven new commissioners, including state Sen. Tony Lourey". Star Tribune . Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  5. Morrison, Kelly (6 June 2024). ""Today I am stepping down from my seat in the MN Senate"". twitter/x. Retrieved 7 June 2024.