Primary Election Results
Last Tuesday, voters in Senate District 47, which covers Woodbury and Washington County, and Senate District 29, which includes most of Wright County and parts of Hennepin and Meeker counties, held primary elections as part of the process of filling the two seats in the Minnesota Senate vacated by the resignation of former Sen. Nicole Mitchell (DFL-Woodbury) and the passing of Sen. Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo Township).
In Woodbury, both sitting state representatives sought the DFL nomination with Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen Jager (DFL-Woodbury) emerging with roughly 82% of the vote over Rep. Ethan Cha (DFL-Woodbury). She will face now Republican candidate Dwight Dorau, a teacher and retired Colonel in the Air Force.
In Wright County, Republican voters in S.D. 29 had three Republicans running for the nomination, with Michael Holmstrom Jr. eventually coming out on top. Holmstrom, a small business owner living in Buffalo, will face DFL candidate Louis McNutt, a resident of Buffalo and a heavy equipment mechanic for the MN Department of Transportation. The special elections will take place the same day as the general election on November 4, 2025.
Minnesota Governor’s Race
While many await Democratic Gov. Tim Walz’s decision on his run for re-election, with his announcement anticipated as early as this week, other possible candidates are being talked about. The Minnesota Star Tribune reported over the weekend that current Secretary of State Steve Simon (DFL) is considering a run for governor in 2026. Gov. Walz has previously stated that he would make a formal announcement after the Minnesota State Fair, which ended yesterday, as numerous reports in recent weeks have suggested he is less likely to seek an unprecedented third term than many had assumed earlier in the year.
Current Republican State Rep. Kristin Robbins (R-Maple Grove) recently announced her candidacy for Governor and has begun her statewide campaign. Former State Senator Scott Jenson, Kendall Qualls, Phillip Parish, and Brad Kohler have all announced their intention to seek the Republican nomination as well.
Walz Contemplates Special Session for Guns
Following the attack on Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis last week, Gov. Walz has been reportedly considering a special legislative session to vote on gun law changes, including a ban on assault weapons and other gun control measures. However, passage of those changes could be difficult given the current political split in the legislature. The Minnesota House of Representatives is controlled by the Republicans who currently have 67 members, to the DFL’s 66 members. A special election to replace former DFL House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman will be held September 16, and the House is expected to return to a 67-67 tie.
