The Minnesota Senate District 11 area has been represented by someone from the Lourey family since 1997. First by Becky Lourey, then her son Tony Lourey. When Tony Lourey announced his new position with the Governor Tim Walz administration his son Stu quickly filed to fill the seat for the state senate special election.
Stu Lourey was a long time DC staffer for disgraced Senator Al Franken and most recently worked for Senator Tina Smith. His connections, name and special interest support allowed him to quickly raise over $30,000 in just a few days and start airing TV ads.
Democrat delegates in the district, however, were not impressed. With the Democrat primary on Tuesday, January 22nd, the delegates rejected Lourey and endorsed his opponent Michelle Lee after the first ballot.
DFL Chair Ken Martin issues a statement praising liberal Michelle Lee
Minnesota DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin: “I’m excited to work with Michelle as she brings her strong progressive message to voters across the district and her passion and experience to our state legislature.” #SD11 #mnleg
— Briana Bierschbach (@bbierschbach) January 19, 2019
In stark contrast, Republican delegates endorsed electrician and local state representative Jason Rarick on the first ballot and he does not face a primary challenge. On the day the Democrat favorite lost the DFL endorsement Republican Rarick gained the endorsement of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 110
The special election will be held on Tuesday, February 5h.
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