NISSWA — Keri Heintzeman of Nisswa is the unofficial winner of the Tuesday, April 15, primary, garnering 46.77% of the vote among eight Republican candidates for the state Senate District 6 seat left vacant by the resignation of Justin Eichorn.
Heintzeman, 44, is a longtime political organizer, Nisswa business owner and wife of Rep. Josh Heintzeman, who represents House District 6B. Together, the couple has six children, three of whom are adults, and they run a small business called Upcountry Log LLC and own rental properties. She was the district director of the Trump 2024 campaign.
The canvassing board meets Friday to officially certify the results. As the top Republican earning 3,404 votes, Heintzeman will face DFL-endorsed candidate Denise Slipy of Breezy Point.
John Howe of Grand Rapids, a retired veterinarian, came in second in the primary, earning 1,127 votes, or 15.49%. Howe was the only candidate from the northern part of the district, while the rest hailed from the Brainerd lakes area.
Placing third was former Republican Party of Minnesota Chairwoman and current Nisswa Mayor Jennifer Carnahan, with 812 votes (11.16%). Josh Gazelka of Breezy Point, the son of former gubernatorial candidate and one-time Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, came in fourth with 679 votes (9.33%). Complete results can be found here.
Heintzeman was first Republican to announce her intent to run for the seat in an eventual field of eight. In her campaign announcement, she highlighted the economic struggles of families and small business owners and vowed to focus on lowering taxes, cutting regulations and combatting government fraud.
"I am running for the Minnesota Senate to champion the values we hold dear — fiscal responsibility, personal freedom and government transparency," Heintzeman said in her announcement. "Together, we can create an environment where families thrive, businesses grow, and our children have a bright and safe future."
During a candidate forum, Heintzeman emphasized her familiarity and experience with the Minnesota Legislature, noting she lives in St. Paul with her husband and children during the session.
Heintzeman's campaign collected the most donations by far, exceeding $55,000 compared to the next-nearest earner, Steve Cotariu, at just under $18,000. His campaign was mostly self-funded.
Her war chest has come together in a matter of weeks ahead of the special primary among eight possible Republican candidates. The local party unit opted not to endorse a candidate for the race, instead leaving it up to the voters.
Senate District 6 covers northern Crow Wing, east-central Cass and southwestern Itasca counties. It includes the cities of Brainerd, Baxter, Garrison, Crosby, Crosslake, Pequot Lakes, Remer, Grand Rapids and Cohasset.
The special election will be Tuesday, April 29. Polling places will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can find your polling place here.
Early in-person voting begins April 23. Voting is available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 23-25, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 28.
Cass County voters can cast their ballots at the Cass County Auditor-Treasurer's Department in Walker, Crow Wing County voters at the Historic Courthouse in Brainerd and Itasca County voters at the Courthouse in Grand Rapids.
Absentee voting also begins April 23. Voters can request an absentee ballot from the Secretary of State's Office. Voters in mail-only precincts will have a ballot mailed to them.
Due to the short timeline, the Secretary of State's Office recommends dropping off your ballot at your county's in-person location.
Voters can pre-register by April 22 or register on Election Day.
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