MN Senate District 6 special general election results

Updated as of 9:57 p.m. Tuesday, April 29.

Voters in Minnesota's Senate District 6 will elect a new state senator in April to fill the vacancy caused by Justin Eichorn's resignation.

Keri Heintzeman beat out seven other Republicans in a primary earlier this month; DFL candidate Denise Slipy faced no primary opponents.

Senate District 6 covers Crow Wing, Cass and Itasca counties and includes the cities of Brainerd, Baxter and Grand Rapids.

Here's everything you need to know about the Senate District 6 special election.

What are the results of the special general election?

The polls closed at 8 p.m. Unofficial results will be updated here as they become available.

80/80 precincts reporting, 100%

• Republican: Keri Heintzeman - 12,751, 60.27%
• Democrat: Denise Slipy - 8,376, 39.59%
• Write-in: 30, .14%

As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, there were 59,730 registered voters in the district.

Lorie Shaull

/

KAXE

Why is there a special election?

Grand Rapids Republican Justin Eichorn resigned from the Senate on March 20. He had been arrested in Bloomington three days earlier for soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Eichorn allegedly sought paid sex from an undercover officer posing as a 17-year-old multiple times over the course of nearly a week, according to charges.

He faces one felony federal charge of agreeing to hire a person under 18 years old for prostitution, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years.

Who is running for Senate District 6?

Keri Heintzeman is the Republican candidate and Denise Slipy is the DFL candidate.

Heintzeman beat Republicans Jennifer Carnahan, Steve Cotariu, Josh Gazelka, John Howe, Doug Kern, Angel Zierden and Matthew Zinda in the primary. Slipy ran unopposed after the party endorsed her before the filing deadline.

Heintzeman and Slipy participated in our Election Guide.

Slipy took part in a debate-turned-Q-&-A last week, and Heintzeman was among the Republican candidates who participated in a forum in Baxter to share their views ahead of the primary.

When is the special general election?

The special election is Tuesday, April 29. Polling places open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can find your polling place here.

Due to the short timeline, the Secretary of State's Office recommends dropping off absentee ballots at your county's in-person location: the Cass County Auditor-Treasurer's Department in Walker, the Crow Wing County Historic Courthouse in Brainerd or the Itasca County Courthouse in Grand Rapids.

Voters can register on Election Day.

Where is Minnesota Senate District 6?

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.

Contributed

/

Minnesota Secretary of State's Office

Where can I vote for Senate District 6?

If you're not sure where to go on Election Day, you can find your polling place here.

Most polling places will be the same as last November, though some may have changed.

How do I register to vote?

Voters can pre-register until the day before the election: April 28 for special election.

Minnesota also allows registration on Election Day. To register at your polling place, you'll need to bring one proof of residence, such as a current ID with your name and address, a photo ID and a document such as a bill or lease or another registered voter who can confirm your address.

What is Senate District 6's election history?

Republican Justin Eichorn was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2016, when he narrowly beat incumbent DFLer Tom Sauxhaug in the District 5 race.

Before 2022, parts of Itasca and Cass counties were in District 5, and Crow Wing County was in District 10. Before that, the region was divided into three districts.

1 of 3  — MN Senate District 6

Minnesota Senate District 6 includes northern Crow Wing, south-central Cass and southwestern Itasca counties.

Contributed / Minnesota Secretary of State's Office

2 of 3  — Central Minnesota Legislative Districts 2012

From 2012 through 2020, what is now Senate District 6 was split into two districts. Crow Wing County was in District 10, and northern Cass and southwestern Itasca counties were in District 5.

Contributed / Minnesota Legislative Coordination Commission Geographic Information Services

3 of 3  — Central Minnesota Legislative Districts 2002

What is now Senate District 6 was split into three districts from 2002 through 2010. Southern Crow Wing County was in District 12, northern Crow Wing, Cass and part of Itasca counties were in District 4 and the rest of Itasca County, including Grand Rapids, was in District 3.

Contributed / Minnesota Legislative Coordination Commission Geographic Information Services

• 2022-Present

  • Justin Eichorn, Republican, District 6

• 2012-2022

  • Eichorn (2017-2025), District 5
  • Tom Saxhaug (2013-2016), DFL, District 5
  • Carrie Ruud (2013-2022), Republican, District 10

• 2002-2012

  • Saxhaug (2003-2012), District 3
  • Mary Olson (2007-2012), DFL, District 4
  • Ruud (2003-2006), District 4
  • Paul Koering (2003-2012), Republican, District 12

Still have questions? You can find more on the election on the Secretary of State's website or ask our news team by emailing news@kaxe.org.