Nov. 4 special elections will decide control of Minnesota Senate
Two Nov. 4 special elections in Senate Districts 47 and 29 will decide control of the Minnesota Senate: with the chamber at 33 DFL and 32 GOP, a GOP sweep would flip the Senate to a one‑seat Republican majority, while a DFL hold in either race would preserve a 34‑seat DFL majority. The vacancies arise from the resignation of Nicole Mitchell (felony burglary convictions) in SD47 (Woodbury and south Maplewood) — a district that has favored Democrats by double digits but is seen as the more competitive contest, featuring Hemmingsen‑Jaeger and Dorau with contrasting emphasis on lowering costs and environmental protection versus alleged program fraud and spending growth — and the July death of Republican Bruce Anderson in SD29 (most of Wright County and parts of Meeker and Hennepin), where Republican Michael Holmstrom Jr. faces DFLer Louis McNutt.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Nov. 4 special elections will decide control of the Minnesota Senate: with two vacancies the Senate currently stands at 33 DFL and 32 GOP; if Republicans win both specials they would gain a one‑seat majority, while a DFL hold in either race would preserve a 34‑seat DFL majority.
- The two vacancies stem from SD47, vacated by DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell after felony burglary convictions, and SD29, vacated by Republican Sen. Bruce Anderson, who died in July at age 75.
- SD47 (Woodbury and south Maplewood) has recently favored Democrats by double digits but is viewed as the more competitive of the two special contests.
- In SD47, Hemmingsen‑Jaeger’s platform emphasizes lowering health and child‑care costs, protecting the environment, and concerns about federal immigration crackdowns and spending cuts; Dorau cites alleged fraud in state programs and recent spending growth under DFL control as reasons to vote for change.
- SD29 covers most of Wright County and parts of Meeker and Hennepin counties; the candidates are Republican Michael Holmstrom Jr. and DFLer Louis McNutt.
đź“š Contextual Background
- Minnesota has the largest population of Somalis in the United States.
đź“° Sources (2)
- With two vacancies, the Senate stands at 33 DFL and 32 GOP; if Republicans win both specials they gain a one‑seat majority, while a DFL hold in either race preserves a 34‑seat DFL majority.
- SD47 (Woodbury and south Maplewood) has favored Democrats by double digits recently but is considered the more competitive contest.
- Candidate platforms in SD47: Hemmingsen‑Jaeger emphasizes lowering health and child‑care costs, environmental protection, and concerns about federal immigration crackdowns and spending cuts; Dorau cites alleged fraud in state programs and recent spending growth under DFL control as reasons for change.
- Vacancy origins: Nicole Mitchell (DFL) resigned after felony burglary convictions (SD47); Bruce Anderson (R) died in July at age 75 (SD29).
- SD29 geography recap: most of Wright County and parts of Meeker and Hennepin counties; candidates are Republican Michael Holmstrom Jr. and DFLer Louis McNutt.