DFL wins two specials; MN House stays 67–67
DFL candidates Shelley Buck and Meg Luger‑Nikolai won special elections in St. Paul’s HD47A and the Woodbury‑area HD67A, taking roughly 97–98% and about 95% of the vote respectively to fill seats vacated by Kaohly Her and Amanda Hemmingsen‑Jaeger. Their victories leave the Minnesota House tied 67–67 heading into the 2026 legislative session, maintaining the need for continued power‑sharing.
📌 Key Facts
- The DFL won both special elections held in St. Paul and the Woodbury area.
- Shelley Buck won HD47A with roughly 97–98% of the vote; Meg Luger‑Nikolai won HD67A with about 95% of the vote.
- The elections filled seats vacated by Kaohly Her (St. Paul) and Amanda Hemmingsen‑Jaeger (Woodbury area).
- With these wins, the Minnesota House is tied 67–67.
- The 67–67 split will force continued power‑sharing in the House as it enters the 2026 session.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2020, the Asian population in St. Paul, Minnesota, was 17.9% of the total population, with 'Other Asian' (mostly Hmong) comprising 10.1%.
Demographics of Saint Paul, Minnesota — Wikipedia
The Hmong population in Minnesota grew by 43.7% from 2010 to 2020, reaching 95,094 individuals, with St. Paul having the largest concentration.
Hmong Population Growth In Minnesota, Wisconsin, And California — Hmong Times
Hmong immigration to Minnesota began in late 1975 as refugees fleeing the communist takeover in Laos after aiding the U.S. during the Vietnam War.
Hmong and Hmong Americans in Minnesota — MinnPost
In Minnesota House District 64A, the racial demographics as of recent census data show White residents at 66.3%, Black at 11.9%, and Asian at 10.3% of the population of 41,141.
State House District 64A, MN — Census Reporter
Recent immigration enforcement actions in St. Paul have led to economic disruptions, with Hmong community members afraid to leave homes, impacting local businesses like Hmong Village.
St. Paul mayor says fear among immigrant communities is apparent — CBS News
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms that both specials were effectively uncontested/overwhelming: Shelley Buck took roughly 97–98% of the vote in HD47A, Meg Luger-Nikolai about 95% in HD67A.
- Clarifies that with these wins the House enters the 2026 session still locked 67–67, forcing continued power‑sharing.
- Reiterates which vacated seats were filled: Kaohly Her’s former St. Paul seat and Amanda Hemmingsen‑Jaeger’s Woodbury‑area seat.