DFL candidate Doron Clark won a special election on Tuesday to fill the only vacancy in the Minnesota Senate. Clark received 90.91% of the vote in the election, besting GOP candidate Abigail Wolters who received 8.71%.
For the last several weeks, the Senate has been tied with 33 Republicans, 33 Democrats, and one vacancy. That vacancy occurred after former Sen. Kari Dziedzic, DFL-Minneapolis, passed away last month.
Clark’s overwhelming victory in Senate District 60, which includes northeast Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus, was expected given the significant DFL advantage in Minneapolis. Clark is expected take his seat in the Senate next week.
“Thank you SD60! I am honored to be your Senator-elect and deliver the DFL majority back to the MN Senate,” said Doron following his election. “Thank you to everyone who knocked doors, made phone calls, and supported our campaign. I can’t wait to get to work for all Minnesotans!”
With the victory in the special election, Democrats will now have a 34-33 majority in the Minnesota Senate.
When this year’s legislative session began on Jan. 14, the Senate was tied at 33-33. As such, the two parties agreed to a power-sharing agreement. That agreement established co-presiding officers, co-chairs of Senate committees, and an even number of Republicans and Democrats on those committees.
That agreement will remain in place until a majority of the Senate (34 members) decides to alter it. Clark’s arrival in the Senate will likely give the DFL the necessary votes to end the power-sharing agreement and take full control of the Senate.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
