Incumbent Senator Susan Kent (DFL) defeated Sharna Wahlgren (R) by 399 votes in SD 53 – Woodbury, Maplewood, Oakdale area, on November 8, 2016. Sen. Kent received 23,035 (50.38%) votes; Wahlgren had 22,636 (49.51%) votes.
Susan Kent (D) Kent was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012. Wahlgren was endorsed by the Pioneer Press and had the support of the Chamber of Commerce.
