Minnesota is on track to tie the record number of special elections for the Legislature held in a single calendar year — and potentially exceed it.
According to data kept by the Minnesota Legislative Research Library, the current record was set in 1994, when six lawmakers were elected in special elections. With the three special elections held already this year and three more on tap to fill seats vacated due to legislator deaths and a resignation, the tally will grow to six.
If current lawmakers succeed in their bids for other offices, ranging from the state Senate to Minneapolis mayor, additional special elections could be needed to fill additional vacancies.
The shifts reshape the body that writes Minnesota laws and decides where taxpayer money gets spent. And with the Senate and House of Representatives split almost evenly, a change in party control could impact what gets done (or what doesn’t) in St. Paul.
Here’s a look at how we got here and the next round of elections expected in 2025.
Lawmaker deaths, criminal charges
So far this year, three lawmakers have been elected in special contests for two Senate seats and a House seat.
Late last year, former Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic, DFL-Minneapolis, died from complications related to a recurring cancer. A special election was called for the Senate District 60 seat. Doron Clark, a Democrat, was elected to fill it.
Following a vacancy in the Minnesota House due to a successful residency challenge in 2024, another special election was held in March for the District 40B seat representing Roseville and Shoreview. Democrat David Gottfried won the race.
In March — the same day Gottfried took office — Sen. Justin Eichorn, a Republican from Grand Rapids, was arrested during a prostitution sting. While charges are pending, the incident led to his abrupt resignation in Senate District 6. Republican Keri Heintzeman won a late April special election for the office.
Then following the close of the 2025 legislative session and a one-day special session, House DFL Caucus Leader Melissa Hortman was killed last month in her Brooklyn Park home. Gov. Tim Walz has called a September 16 special election for the House District 34B seat representing parts of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids. A special primary is set to be held on August 12.
Two more recent events will also lead to special elections. On Monday, Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, announced she would step down by August 4 following two burglary convictions stemming from a 2024 break-in at her stepmother’s home.
Also on Monday, Sen. Bruce Anderson, R-Buffalo, died unexpectedly. A cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Walz expected to call the special elections for Senate Districts 29 and 47 soon, possibly for the same time frame.
How often do seats flip in a special election?
More often than not, the parties that held the seat before keep it in a special election.
Of the 45 special elections to take place in the last 25 years, only nine resulted in a flip in party hold on a legislative seat.
Democrats and Republicans have nearly equal success in that timeframe with DFLers flipping five seats previously held by GOP members while Republicans won four that had been occupied by Democrats.
The two most recent seat flips have gone in favor of Republicans.
2001 – Rep. Steve Wenzel, DFL, to Rep. Greg Blaine, R
2002 – Rep. Darlene Luther, DFL, to Rep. John Jordan, R
2003 – Rep. Mark Holsten, R, to Rep. Rebecca Otto, DFL
2005 – Sen. David Gaither, R, to Sen. Terri Bonoff, DFL
2005 – Sen. Dave Kleis, R, to Sen. Tarryl Clark, DFL
2008 – Sen. Betsy Wergin, R, to Sen. Lisa Fobbe, DFL
2008 – Sen. Tom Neuville, R, to Sen. Kevin Dahle, DFL
2016 – Rep. Ann Lenczewski, DFL, to Rep. Chad Anderson, R
2019 – Sen. Tony Lourey, DFL, to Sen. Jason Rarick, R
Will party control of either chamber change?
That’s possible.
Depending on the outcome of the three upcoming special elections, control of the Legislature could shift but only if Republicans manage a sweep.
Currently, there are 34 Democrats in the Senate and 32 Republicans. Mitchell’s resignation will make the count 33-32. Two special elections will bring the chamber back to its full complement.
The House has 67 Republicans and 66 Democrats with one vacant seat. A Republican victory in that Brooklyn Park seat, which would be an upset, would break what had been a House tie and give Republicans an outright majority with 68 seats.