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.
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📊 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%. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Saint_Paul,_Minnesota)) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Saint_Paul,_Minnesota)) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Saint_Paul,_Minnesota)) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Saint_Paul,_Minnesota)) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Saint_Paul,_Minnesota)) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Saint_Paul,_Minnesota)) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Saint_Paul,_Minnesota)) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Saint_Paul,_Minnesota)) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Saint_Paul,_Minnesota)) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Saint_Paul,_Minnesota))
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 Times](https://hmongtimes.com/?p=40961)) ([Hmong Times](https://hmongtimes.com/?p=40961)) ([Hmong Times](https://hmongtimes.com/?p=40961)) ([Hmong Times](https://hmongtimes.com/?p=40961)) ([Hmong Times](https://hmongtimes.com/?p=40961)) ([Hmong Times](https://hmongtimes.com/?p=40961)) ([Hmong Times](https://hmongtimes.com/?p=40961)) ([Hmong Times](https://hmongtimes.com/?p=40961)) ([Hmong Times](https://hmongtimes.com/?p=40961)) ([Hmong Times](https://hmongtimes.com/?p=40961))
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. ([MinnPost](https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2025/04/hmong-and-hmong-americans-in-minnesota)) ([MinnPost](https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2025/04/hmong-and-hmong-americans-in-minnesota)) ([MinnPost](https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2025/04/hmong-and-hmong-americans-in-minnesota)) ([MinnPost](https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2025/04/hmong-and-hmong-americans-in-minnesota)) ([MinnPost](https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2025/04/hmong-and-hmong-americans-in-minnesota)) ([MinnPost](https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2025/04/hmong-and-hmong-americans-in-minnesota)) ([MinnPost](https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2025/04/hmong-and-hmong-americans-in-minnesota)) ([MinnPost](https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2025/04/hmong-and-hmong-americans-in-minnesota)) ([MinnPost](https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2025/04/hmong-and-hmong-americans-in-minnesota)) ([MinnPost](https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2025/04/hmong-and-hmong-americans-in-minnesota))
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. ([Census Reporter](http://censusreporter.org/profiles/62000US2764A-state-house-district-64a-mn)) ([Census Reporter](http://censusreporter.org/profiles/62000US2764A-state-house-district-64a-mn)) ([Census Reporter](http://censusreporter.org/profiles/62000US2764A-state-house-district-64a-mn)) ([Census Reporter](http://censusreporter.org/profiles/62000US2764A-state-house-district-64a-mn)) ([Census Reporter](http://censusreporter.org/profiles/62000US2764A-state-house-district-64a-mn)) ([Census Reporter](http://censusreporter.org/profiles/62000US2764A-state-house-district-64a-mn)) ([Census Reporter](http://censusreporter.org/profiles/62000US2764A-state-house-district-64a-mn)) ([Census Reporter](http://censusreporter.org/profiles/62000US2764A-state-house-district-64a-mn)) ([Census Reporter](http://censusreporter.org/profiles/62000US2764A-state-house-district-64a-mn)) ([Census Reporter](http://censusreporter.org/profiles/62000US2764A-state-house-district-64a-mn))
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. ([CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saint-paul-mayor-kaohly-her-fear-among-immigrant-communities)) ([CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saint-paul-mayor-kaohly-her-fear-among-immigrant-communities)) ([CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saint-paul-mayor-kaohly-her-fear-among-immigrant-communities)) ([CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saint-paul-mayor-kaohly-her-fear-among-immigrant-communities)) ([CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saint-paul-mayor-kaohly-her-fear-among-immigrant-communities)) ([CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saint-paul-mayor-kaohly-her-fear-among-immigrant-communities)) ([CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saint-paul-mayor-kaohly-her-fear-among-immigrant-communities)) ([CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saint-paul-mayor-kaohly-her-fear-among-immigrant-communities)) ([CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saint-paul-mayor-kaohly-her-fear-among-immigrant-communities)) ([CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saint-paul-mayor-kaohly-her-fear-among-immigrant-communities))
St. Paul mayor says fear among immigrant communities is apparent — CBS News
📌 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.
📰 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.