Paul Anderson defeated Deb Calvert by a margin of 50.13%-49.73% in SD44, representing the area around Plymouth and Minnetonka. This was the most expensive state legislative race for 2016, with the DFL leading spending $460,000 to to $380,000.
Incumbent Sen. Terri Bonoff made a run against Erik Paulsen in CD3, leaving her current seat open. Bonoff had held onto the seat while pitching a more moderate, business friendly tone. HD44A was won by Rep. Sarah Anderson (R) 56-44 in 2014, while Rep. John Applebaum (DFL) won 44B by a margin of 51-49. Both the candidates for Bonoff’s seats are longtime staffers for their respective parties. Calvert worked for Sen. Amy Klobuchar, while Anderson served as deputy chief of staff for former Governor Tim Pawlenty.
