DFL keeps one-seat Senate majority after Nov. 4 specials
Special elections Nov. 4 for SD47 (Woodbury/south Maplewood) and SD29 (parts of Wright, Meeker and Hennepin counties), vacated by DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s resignation and the death of GOP Sen. Bruce Anderson, resulted in DFL Amanda Hemmingsen‑Jaeger winning SD47 and Republican Michael Holmstrom Jr. winning SD29, leaving the Minnesota Senate at a 34–33 DFL majority. The House remains evenly divided heading into the 2026 session (scheduled to resume Feb. 17, 2026), and Hemmingsen‑Jaeger’s victory will trigger a special election to fill her Woodbury-area House seat.
📌 Key Facts
- Before the Nov. 4 special elections the Minnesota Senate had two vacancies and a 33 DFL / 32 GOP partisan split; Republicans could have gained a one‑seat majority by winning both specials, while a DFL hold in either race would preserve a DFL majority.
- On Nov. 4 special elections, DFL Amanda Hemmingsen‑Jaeger won SD47 and Republican Michael Holmstrom Jr. won SD29, leaving the DFL with a 34–33 majority in the Senate.
- SD47 (Woodbury and south Maplewood) was viewed as the more competitive contest; SD29 covers most of Wright County and parts of Meeker and Hennepin counties.
- The two vacancies arose after DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell resigned following felony burglary convictions (SD47) and GOP Sen. Bruce Anderson died in July at age 75 (SD29).
- Candidate backgrounds and priorities: Hemmingsen‑Jaeger (DFL) campaigned on lowering health and child‑care costs, environmental protection, and has degrees in cell biology, genetics and environmental policy plus state government experience; Dwight Dorau (GOP) is a retired Air Force colonel who highlighted ethics and alleged state program fraud. Holmstrom Jr. (GOP) stressed pro‑life positions, defending girls’ sports and parental decision‑making and is a small‑business owner; Louis McNutt (DFL) is a MnDOT equipment mechanic and union leader focused on cost‑of‑living issues.
- With the DFL keeping a one‑seat Senate majority, the legislative outlook remains constrained because the Minnesota House is evenly divided and the state budget is already set through June 30, 2027; the next regular session is scheduled to resume Feb. 17, 2026.
- Because Hemmingsen‑Jaeger was a Woodbury‑area House member, her election to the Senate will require the governor to call a special election to fill her House seat.
- There is a potential for another Senate vacancy if Sen. Omar Fateh wins the Minneapolis mayoral election.
📰 Sources (6)
Holmstrom, Hemmingsen-Jaeger win special elections for state Senate
New information:
- Provides direct quotes from both winning candidates on their priorities.
- Highlights the scenario of a potential additional Senate vacancy if Sen. Omar Fateh wins the Minneapolis mayoral election.
DFL retains control of the Minnesota Senate after special elections
New information:
- Final outcomes: Hemmingsen-Jaeger (DFL) wins SD47; Holmstrom Jr. (GOP) wins SD29.
- DFL maintains a 34–33 edge in the Senate.
- House remains evenly divided heading into the 2026 session.
- Session scheduled to resume Feb. 17, 2026.
Minnesota Senate control up for grabs in special elections
New information:
- If Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger wins SD47, her Woodbury-area House seat would require another special election in the coming months.
- Republicans are highlighting ongoing investigations into Medicaid fraud in state programs as a campaign issue; Democrats argue their base is motivated under Trump’s second term.
- Candidate context: Dwight Dorau emphasizes ethics on his website and avoided attacking Nicole Mitchell directly, saying he felt bad for her and was glad she received work release; Hemmingsen-Jaeger says voters are focused on health care and grocery costs rather than Mitchell’s resignation.
Voters will decide Tuesday who controls the Minnesota Senate. Here’s what you need to know.
New information:
- Context that a GOP-controlled Senate would see limited new laws next year due to an evenly divided House and a budget already set through June 30, 2027.
- If Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger wins SD47, Gov. Tim Walz would need to call a special election to fill her House seat.
- Expanded candidate bios: Hemmingsen-Jaeger’s degrees in cell biology, genetics and environmental policy; prior work at the Departments of Public Safety and Human Services.
- Dwight Dorau is a retired Air Force colonel who served in Afghanistan and lost to Nicole Mitchell by 18 points in 2022.
- Michael Holmstrom Jr. emphasizes pro-life activism and positions on 'defending girls’ sports' and parental decision-making in education; small business owner and longtime Wright County GOP volunteer.
- Louis McNutt is a MnDOT equipment mechanic and AFSCME Local 221 union leader; cost of living is his campaign centerpiece.
- Detailed how-to-vote guidance: poll hours (7 a.m.–8 p.m.), same-day registration options, and recommendation to drop off absentee ballots in person due to timing.
Special elections to decide whether DFL, GOP control MN Senate
New information:
- 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.