I’ve worked in Minnesota politics for nearly twenty years, and the number of special elections being called at the legislature this year is even giving me whiplash. I can’t imagine how the average outside spectator keeps up.
Minnesota is tying a record this year for special elections, driven largely by tragedy and felonies. These elections have the potential to change the power dynamics at the Capitol, and some could have a big impact on 2026.
Minnesota’s Six Special Elections
Let’s start with the numbers. So far this year, Minnesota has six special elections, with a potential for a seventh if a House member successfully picks up an open Senate seat.
What special elections are on the horizon?
First, we have the race to pick up Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman’s seat, after she was tragically murdered earlier this summer in a political assassination that rocked the State Capitol and our nation. Her legacy will live on in the House in many ways, and this seat is expected to be a safe pick-up for a DFL replacement.
Senator Bruce Anderson, a Republican, also passed away unexpectedly earlier this month. A strong voice for veterans, his legacy will also be remembered in St. Paul. His seat, like Hortman’s, will likely be picked up by a new member of the same party.
Finally, thanks to a jury finding her guilty last month of felony burglary, Sen. Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury stepped down, opening up her seat for a special election in November. Unlike the other two seats, which are considered very safe, this may have a chance for an upset. While reliably DFL for the past couple of cycles, the Woodbury area has traditionally been more of a swing district. I can see lots of dollars going into this race as a way to potentially shift the balance of power in the Senate, where the DFL currently holds a one-seat majority.
These three upcoming specials are on top of the three elections that already happened earlier this year. Sen. Doron Clark replaced the late Senator Kari Dziedzic. Rep. David Gottfried won a special election to replace Curtis Johnson who did not live in the district, and until that election was complete, the House was largely thrown into chaos, moving from a tied 67-67 body to a one-seat GOP majority. And finally, disgraced Senator Justin Eichorn, who was charged with soliciting minors, was replaced by Sen. Keri Heintzeman, another Republican.
Why It Matters – The Balance of Power
History shows that the vast majority of special elections remain with the same party. But with such close margins in the Legislature, political spectators will be keeping an eye on these races and what they could mean for policies and politics in 2026.
New faces and new personalities can also shift priorities at the Capitol and bring new voices to key issues. K2 will be watching all of these special elections, helping our clients navigate strategies to find success in 2026.
Chelsea Thompson, Vice President of Public Affairs