PEQUOT LAKES — A second DFL candidate announced a bid for the state Senate District 6 seat left vacant by the resignation of Justin Eichorn last week.
Nicky Hardy, a substitute teacher and former scientific researcher, announced her candidacy on social media Tuesday, March 25. She joins DFLer Emily LeClaire and at least seven Republicans vying for the senate seat.
Hardy describes herself as a scientist, homemaker, substitute teacher and volunteer on her campaign Facebook page. She is a former Republican, according to her campaign website, and said in her announcement that political division has left many feeling unheard and disillusioned.
"I want the opportunity to serve and bring forward the concerns of DFLers, moderates, independents, principled progressives, and compassionate conservatives alike, focusing on shared values, bipartisanship, and practical solutions that bring people together," she wrote.
"This commitment to unity and meaningful action is at the heart of my campaign to build a brighter future for our local communities."
According to her campaign website, Hardy is a substitute teacher for the Pequot Lakes and Pine River-Backus school districts and volunteers for a number of Pequot Lakes organizations. She earned a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and spent three years as a researcher with Northwestern University's Department of Chemistry.
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 March 17 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 a 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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