Updated as of 2 p.m. April 2, 2025.
Filing opened Wednesday, March 26, for the special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by Justin Eichorn's resignation. Filing closes at 5 p.m. April 1.
Gov. Tim Walz signed a writ of special election Tuesday, March 25, setting the special election for April 29. A special primary election will be April 15, if needed. One candidate from each party will be on the April 29 ballot.
Before the special election was set, at least seven Republican candidates and two DFL candidates announced their intentions to campaign for the open seat, which covers parts of Cass, Crow Wing and Itasca counties and includes the cities of Grand Rapids, Brainerd and Baxter.
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 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.
KAXE will put together an Election Guide for the race after the filing period closes. Submit your questions for candidates by April 1 for possible inclusion in the Guide.
Candidates who have filed for the seat:
- Jennifer Carnahan, Republican, Crow Wing County
- Steve Cotariu, Republican, Crow Wing County
- Josh Gazelka, Republican, Crow Wing County
- Keri Heintzeman, Republican, Crow Wing County
- John A. Howe, Republican, Itasca County
- Doug Kern, Republican, Crow Wing County
- Denise Slipy, DFL, Crow Wing County (party endorsed)
- Angel Zierden, Republican, Crow Wing County
- Matthew Zinda, Republican, Crow Wing County
No longer running after DFL Party endorsing convention
- Emily LeClaire, DFL, Crow Wing County
- Nicole "Nicky" Hardy, DFL, Crow Wing County
- Samuel Patrick Grigsby, DFL, Itasca County
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