MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Election results from the Secretary of State’s website shows that Andrew Lang has won in Senate District 17, defeating incumbent Senator Lyle Koenen.
Senate District 17, which includes Chippewa and Kandiyohi counties is just west of the Twin Cities.
As Alpha News reported this weekend, Sen. Koenen has had a record of being a conservative voice within the DFL.
In 2012, Koenen beat his Republican opponent, Joe Gimse by 11 points, even though Romney eventually won the district 51-47. However, a lot has changed in four years as the Minnesota House was able to flip both the 17A and 17B seats for the GOP.
With the District leaning conservative, Sen. Koenen just could not hold onto his seat. Andrew Lang (R) beat Koenen 57-43.
Andrew Lang, an officer, and pilot in the Minnesota National Guard campaigned hard, spending $270,000 on his race, while Sen. Koenen spent $330,000.
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.