ST. CLOUD, MN — Control for the Minnesota Senate still has the ability to change hands before the session starts on January 3, 2017. A recount in Senate District 14 is underway. Monday morning officially initiated the recount process for Senator-elect Jerry Relph (R) and his opponent Dan Wolgamott (D).
Relph, a 72 year-old small business owner won by a narrow margin of 0.4% (142 votes). Most races with >1% margin are recounted. Wolgamott, a father of two young children won Sherburn county by 50 votes, but lost Sterns and Benton Counties to Relph.
The outcome of the recount could prove disastrous for a boisterous Republican Party still celebrating election-night victories.
Republicans barely gained control of the Senate with a 34-33 split. A reversal via recount could lead to a deadlocked Senate.
Preya Samsundar
Preya Samsundar was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities this Spring with a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, with a minor in Strategic Communications. Preya has previously worked on several State Campaign Races.