BRAINERD — Emily LeClaire of Brainerd is planning to run for the vacant seat left by the resignation of Justin Eichorn from the Minnesota Senate on Thursday, March 20.
LeClaire made the announcement on her candidate Facebook page, which was originally for her 2024 run for the Minnesota House.
In a letter, LeClaire said it about about this time last year when she was deciding to run for House District 6B as a DFLer. She challenged Rep. Josh Heintzeman, R-Nisswa, who defeated her and third-party challenger Troy Scheffler. She said campaigning last year opened her eyes to what Minnesotans have in common.
"We all want our children to be safe at their school. We want to take care of our veterans, those people who courageously raised their hand to volunteer to preserve our freedom," LeClaire wrote. "We need to have healthcare we can rely on, a safe and affordable place to sleep and food to eat. We work hard. We care for one another. Our state is brought together by far more than that which seems to separate us."
Eichorn resigned Thursday under pressure from both state parties and numerous individual lawmakers and the promise of a vote to expel him by the Minnesota Republican Senate Caucus. He was arrested Monday in a law enforcement sting operation after he allegedly attempted to solicit a 17-year-old for paid sex, who turned out to be an undercover officer.
Eichorn's departure from the Senate means Republicans now have 32 members, while the DFL has 34. Minnesota law states Gov. Tim Walz shall call a special election to fill the vacancy in Senate District 6. The district includes the cities of Grand Rapids, Brainerd and Baxter.
-
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe agency states the new process will more closely align with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol measures for entering the U.S. in remote areas. -
Contributed/Crosby-Ironton Rangerettes Dance Team via FacebookAll three schools’ high kick routines qualified for state, while Brainerd and Crosby-Ironton also advanced with their jazz performances. -
Contributed/thhstheatre via FacebookThe two Northern Minnesota schools are among the 16 advancing from section competitions. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe legislation would withhold federal election funds from Minnesota until Secretary of State Steve Simon turns over voter data requested by the Department of Justice — a request Simon says is illegal. -
Contributed/Alyssa Chen | Minnesota ReformerThe Department of Human Services plans to "revalidate" 5,800 providers of Medicaid services deemed high risk for fraud, waste and abuse. -
Contributed/St. Louis County Sheriff's OfficeThe Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is conducting an independent investigation of the in-custody death. -
And: Judge denies injunction to pause Operation Metro Surge; MN Congressional Republicans introduce MN Voter Integrity Act; and Sen. Tina Smith endorses Peggy Flanagan. -
Contributed/Peggy Flanagan for U.S. SenateThe retiring senator's endorsement in the race between Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig comes just before party members share their thoughts on Caucus Night, Feb. 3, 2026. -
Contributed/Pixabay via PexelsThe State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the explosion in a six-unit building near the Duluth Airport. -
Scott Rodgerson/UnsplashDouglas and Tiffany Stewart died Jan. 30, 2026, after a train struck their vehicle west of Cass Lake in rural Hubbard County. The incident is under investigation.
