Gov. Tim Walz has set a Nov. 4 special election date to fill two vacant seats in the Minnesota Senate—which means control of that chamber will be up for grabs this fall.
On Tuesday, Walz issued a writ of special election for seats left vacant last week by the July 25 resignation of Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, and the July 21 death of Sen. Bruce Anderson, R-Buffalo.
Candidates can begin filing for each of the special elections beginning Wednesday, July 30 through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6. A primary will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 26 if more than one Republican or DFL candidate files for either election.
Walz’s decision to issue the writs of special election comes just a few days after Mitchell, a first-term Democrat, resigned her District 47 seat following a felony burglary conviction stemming from an April 2024 break-in of her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes.
Mitchell’s resignation was expected following the week-long criminal trial in Becker County earlier this month, where a jury found her guilty of first-degree burglary. She has not yet been sentenced.
While Democrats currently hold a one-seat advantage in the Senate, Republicans could take a majority if their candidates were to win both of the special elections this fall.
Senate District 47 at a glance
Senate District 47 includes all of Woodbury and a portion of Maplewood. Two DFL members who represent the 47A and 47B seats in the Minnesota House have expressed interest in running.
While Mitchell won that seat by 17 points in 2022, the Woodbury area has seen the pendulum swing between Democrat and Republican representation a handful of times over the last two decades.
Senate District 29 at a glance
Last Monday, Anderson, a fourth-term Republican, died unexpectedly at the age of 75. Anderson had served in the Senate since 2013. Prior to that, Anderson had served in the Minnesota House since 1997.
Senate District 29 includes Buffalo, Monticello and Annandale, areas that have voted reliably Republican for several election cycles. Former Wright County Republican Party Vice Chair Michael Holmstrom announced his candidacy for the seat on Wednesday.
Several special elections at the legislature
While the entire Senate and House will be up for election in 2026, this fall is considered an off-year. Despite that, a special election will be taking place for House District 34B on Sept. 16. One Republican and three Democrats are currently vying to fill that seat left vacant by the June 14 assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park.
Earlier this year, three special elections took place—two in the Senate and one in the House. Sens. Keri Heintzeman, R-Nisswa, and Doron Clark, DFL-Minneapolis, and Rep. David Gottfried, DFL-Shoreview, were elected to fill vacant seats while the legislature was in session.
Hank Long
Hank Long is a journalism and communications professional whose writing career includes coverage of the Minnesota legislature, city and county governments and the commercial real estate industry. Hank received his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, where he studied journalism, and his law degree at the University of St. Thomas. The Minnesota native lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and four children. His dream is to be around when the Vikings win the Super Bowl.
