A special election for a now-vacant state Senate seat in northern Minnesota will feature a crowded field of Republican candidates.
Seven Republicans, as of Wednesday, had declared their intention to run in the primary for the Senate District 6 special election.
That primary date is set for April 15 after Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ for the special election on Tuesday. Walz called the special election following the resignation last week of Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, who was charged with soliciting a minor.
Senate District 6 covers several north-central Minnesota communities that sit within Crow Wing, Itasca and Cass counties. Auditors in those counties will be responsible for administering the special election primary on Tuesday, April 15 and the general election on Tuesday, April 29, Walz explained in the writ.
Candidates are able to file their affidavits of candidacy for the seat on Wednesday, March 26 at 5 p.m. until Tuesday, April 5 at 5 p.m.
A primary is also shaping up on the DFL side, where former Democratic House candidate Emily LeClaire and former scientific researcher Nicky Hardy have announced plans to run.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the self-declared Republican candidates:
- Keri Heintzeman, wife to six-term Rep. Josh Heintzeman, R-Nisswa, and a former district director for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign in Minnesota
- Josh Gazelka, son of former Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and a vice president at a national marketing firm
- Jennifer Carnahan, current mayor of Nisswa and former chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota
- Doug Kern, a conservative activist and chairman of the Crow Wing Township Board
- Dr. John Howe, a businessman and retired veterinary practice owner
- Angel Zierden, a small business owner and former mayor of Breezy Point
- Steve Cotariu, a U.S. Army veteran and businessman
Senate District 6 spans a portion of north-central Minnesota from Grand Rapids to Brainerd to the northwest shore of Lake Mille Lacs. In 2022, then-Sen. Eichorn defeated his DFL opponent, Steve Samuelson, by 27 percentage points. With the vacancy, the Senate is currently represented by 32 Republicans and 34 Democrats.
After the April 29 election, the winner is expected to be seated in the legislature within one week. The legislative session ends on May 19.
Because of a three-week boycott by Democrats in the Minnesota House of Representatives, it’s possible a special session may be called if the legislature can’t reach a budget deal before May 19.
Hank Long
Hank Long is a journalism and communications professional whose writing career includes coverage of the Minnesota legislature, city and county governments and the commercial real estate industry. Hank received his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, where he studied journalism, and his law degree at the University of St. Thomas. The Minnesota native lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and four children. His dream is to be around when the Vikings win the Super Bowl.
