NISSWA — State Sen.-elect Keri Heintzeman won all but 11 of the 80 precincts in Senate District 6 in her Tuesday, April 29, special election victory.
The Republican was ahead of DFLer Denise Slipy for the full 90 minutes it took for results to roll in, staying within roughly 5 points of her eventual 60.27% of votes.
Heintzeman wrote on social media early Wednesday morning that she is "profoundly grateful" for the residents' "overwhelming support."
"This victory is a testament to the power of conservative values and the enduring spirit of our community," she stated.
"As your senator, I will fight tirelessly to protect our freedoms, reduce government overreach, and ensure that every tax dollar is spent wisely. Together, we will build a future where families thrive, businesses grow, and our children inherit a legacy of liberty."
Early Wednesday morning, Slipy congratulated Heintzeman and said she's proud of the community and volunteers.
"This campaign was about being the voice of the people," she wrote. "While the outcome wasn’t what we wanted, I’ll still be fighting for you. I’m one of you!"
Heintzeman will fill the seat left vacant by Grand Rapids Republican Justin Eichorn, who resigned in late March after being arrested for soliciting a minor for prostitution. She'll also serve on the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, which Eichorn chaired briefly before his resignation.
The balance of the Minnesota Senate will not change, and the DFL will have a one-seat majority once Heintzeman is sworn in. She joins her husband, state Rep. Josh Heinzteman, R-Nisswa, in the Legislature — just in the other body.
Heinzteman's margin of victory was smaller than that of then-incumbent Eichorn in 2022 (63.5%), the only senate election with the current legislative boundaries.
Her 60% share of votes was just under those of her husband and Rep. Ben Davis, R-Mission Township, in the last two elections, which ranged from 62% to 66%.
Seven precincts that most recently voted for Eichorn instead supported the DFL on Tuesday. Slipy won Grand Rapids precincts 3 and 4, Brainerd Ward 1 Precinct 1 and Ward 3 Precinct 1, and the Cuyuna cities of Crosby and Riverton.
Significantly fewer voters turned out for the special election compared to the 2022 midterm. Just over 21,000 voters cast ballots Tuesday, 35% of those registered as of 7 a.m. In 2022, there were an additional 20,000 voters, 70% of those registered at the time.
Tuesday's turnout was higher than the primary, when about 8,500 voters (14%) cast ballots.
"We just think it's very important to get out and share your opinion," said Grand Rapids resident Lynn, alongside her husband Jason, outside their polling place Tuesday. They declined to share their last names.
"Unfortunately, the world seems to be very divided today, as it still is, nobody's really brought that back together. But we have a very strong stance on what we believe is right, so that's why we chose to make sure our voice is heard."
"And Minnesota, which is hard-core blue, which is going definitely the wrong way. Definitely the wrong way," Jason added, explaining that he views Minnesota as "way behind" red states in education and that "free hand-outs" take away from those who work.
In Harris Township, Taylor, who declined to share her last name, didn't have a specific issue on her mind when she went to vote.
"When choosing someone to hold this seat, you want someone who's kind and doesn't put other people down," she said.
Her husband, Rob, admitted he's been more focused on national politics, but with everything going on in the world, he said it's important to vote.
"I think voter turnout is going to be a huge part of the elections moving forward, and everybody has a right to vote, and they should exercise that right," he said.
" ... As members of the local community, I've put more of an emphasis on myself on trying to participate more in politics at a local level, local elections, local issues, because this is where we live."
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