ST. PAUL — The dates for the special election to fill the vacancy in Senate District 6 following Eichorn’s resignation are now set.
A writ of special election signed by Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday, March 25, says the special election will be April 29. A special primary election will be April 15 if necessary to narrow the field.
The candidate filing period opens Wednesday and runs through April 1.
Thus far, at least seven Republican candidates and two DFL candidates have announced their intentions to campaign for the open seat in Senate District 6, which covers parts of Cass, Crow Wing and Itasca counties and includes the cities of Grand Rapids, Brainerd and Baxter.
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.
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Contributed/Michelle Griffith / Minnesota ReformerThe exodus follows reports that the U.S. Department of Justice was scrutinizing the political activity of the woman killed last Wednesday by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe appointment comes in the wake of two high-profile resignations in the Hibbing School District, which is looking to make around $2 million in budget cuts. -
Contributed/Minnesota SenateState Sen. Grant Hauschild announced he would run for a second term to represent District 3, which includes portions of Cook, Itasca, Lake, Koochiching and St. Louis counties. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe same announcers from the historic Minnesota Wild Ojibwe-language broadcast in November will announce hockey games against Cloquet-Esko-Carlton and Grand Rapids on Jan. 20 and 30, 2026.
