Today’s special election for state Senate will determine which party has majority

Primary voters in the Minneapolis-based district selected Abigail Wolters as the GOP candidate in the special election, and Doron Clark as the DFL candidate.

special election
Democrat Doron Clark, left, and Republican Abigail Wolters will face off in a special Senate election Tuesday.

A special election for the only vacant seat in the Minnesota Senate will determine whether the DFL or the GOP has a majority in the chamber.

At present, the Senate is comprised of 33 Republicans, 33 Democrats, and one vacancy; the vacancy occurred after former Sen. Kari Dziedzic, DFL-Minneapolis, passed away last month. Following Dziedzic’s passing, a special election was called to fill the vacancy in Senate District 60.

On Jan. 14, primary voters in the Minneapolis-based district selected Abigail Wolters as the GOP candidate in the special election, and Doron Clark as the DFL candidate. Today, voters in District 60 are going to the polls to choose between Wolters and Clark.

The district includes northeast Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota campus.

Abigail Wolters: The Republican candidate

Wolters is a software engineer and 2021 graduate of the University of Minnesota. The Republican candidate’s priorities include public safety, economic opportunity, and fiscal responsibility.

A life-long Minnesotan, Wolters wants to “support effective public safety measures that protect all Minnesotans from the devastating effects of personal and property crimes,” and “promote innovation and entrepreneurship to grow good-paying jobs here at home by eliminating burdensome government regulations.”

The GOP candidate also wants to reduce fraud, find solutions to the high cost of living, and “ease economic pressures for students, young families, first-time homeowners, and ease the burden of passing down assets to younger generations.”

Doron Clark: The Democratic candidate

Clark is a Medtronic employee and former chair of the DFL’s local party unit in Senate District 60. He has lived in Minneapolis for many years and has been involved in DFL politics and various community organizations.

Among his priorities, Clark lists universal healthcare, college affordability, funding for homeless shelters, increased funding for public schools, protecting Minnesota’s waters, ending qualified immunity for police officers, and ending the cash bail system.

Additionally, the DFL candidate wants to “make abortion more affordable,” “ensure that everyone has access to affordable gender affirming care,” and “protect our immigrant neighbors and keep our communities together.”

Clark has been endorsed by the DFL, Stonewall DFL, Planned Parenthood, Education Minnesota, the Minnesota Nurses Association, and various labor unions.

Election will determine majority in Senate

With the chamber tied 33-33, the outcome of the special election will determine whether the Republicans or Democrats control the Senate.

Earlier this year, the two parties agreed to a power-sharing agreement at the start of the legislative session. That agreement establishes co-presiding officers, co-chairs of Senate committees, and an even number of Republicans and Democrats on those committees. The agreement will remain in place until a majority of the Senate (34 members) decides to alter it.

Given the significant DFL advantage in Minneapolis, Clark is heavily favored to win the special election. Should he win, the DFL would likely have the 34 votes necessary to end the power-sharing agreement and take full control of the Senate.

Polls are open until 8:00 p.m. To learn more about the election, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.

 

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.