Incumbent Wesenberg easily wins primary; endorsed Striemer also advances

Incumbent state Sen. Nathan Wesenberg earned 74.2% of the vote during the Tuesday, Aug. 11, primary election, easily defeating primary challenger Deb Holthaus for Senate District 10.

The party-endorsed Wesenberg earned 9,069 votes to Holthaus's 3,152 votes. Both are from Little Falls.

Wesenberg posted a simple "thank you" message on social media following the results.

"Thank you to the Senate District 10 residents who voted in the Primary yesterday," Holthaus wrote in a Wednesday Facebook post. "To all my supporters, thank you for taking the time to vote, to campaign with me, and to stand for truth."

Wesenberg will face DFL candidate Tara Killen in the general election in November.

Endorsed Republican Mark Striemer won the Republican primary election over Brian Lindquist for the open House District 10A seat. He earned 3,619 votes. Lindquist received 2,709 votes.

House District 10A includes parts of Aitkin, Crow Wing, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties. Those areas are also included in Senate District 10.

Lindquist thanked supporters Wednesday.

"Over the past two and half months, I have been overwhelmed by the those of you who have supported me — through your words, actions, finances, and ultimately your votes," he wrote. "Thank you for standing for this cause and being part of the process. Thank you for standing for truth and integrity."

Striemer and DFL candidate Melissa Maertens will face off in the State Representative District 10A general election in November.

Current 10A Rep. Ron Kresha is retiring. Kresha backed the un-endorsed Lindquist and Holthaus in what has been a contentious primary election season for District 10.