BREEZY POINT — Former Breezy Point Mayor Angel Zierden is joining the field of Republicans running for the Senate District 6 seat left vacant by Justin Eichorn's resignation.
Zierden, a small business owner, announced her candidacy on Facebook early Friday, March 21.
"This decision has been shaped by the support and encouragement of many, most importantly, my family," Zierden wrote.
"I'm eager to engage with voters in District 6, addressing the issues that matter most and running a campaign that stays authentic to my values, vision, and the needs of those I aim to represent."
Zierden was on the November ballot as a candidate for Breezy mayor but suspended her campaign in September. She told the Pineandlakes Echo Journal she decided to not seek reelection because she was pregnant with her last child and because of internal issues between city employees and a city councilor and other political opportunities.
In a Facebook post shared Monday, Zierden said she is not seeking the Republican endorsement "because it takes bipartisanship and relationships across the aisle to get things done."
Eichorn resigned Thursday, March 20, 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. Gov. Tim Walz is expected to soon call special election to fill the vacancy in Senate District 6. The district includes the cities of Grand Rapids, Brainerd and Baxter.

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