By: John Imsdahl

September 4, 2025

This fall marks a historic moment as Minnesota voters head to the polls for two high-stakes elections with major implications for the balance of power in the Minnesota State Senate, as well as one House seat. Senate Districts 29 and 47 are currently vacant following the passing of longtime GOP Senator Bruce Anderson and the resignation of DFL Senator Nicole Mitchell. Additionally, Minnesota House District 34B is vacant after Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband were assassinated by a gunman at their home on June 14 of this year.

The deadlocked Minnesota Senate has grown increasingly volatile over the past legislative session. This shift followed the Democrats’ loss of their trifecta, which had included control of the Senate, House, and Governorship. As a result, Democrats and Republicans have been forced into a contentious power-sharing arrangement. If either party manages to win both open Senate seats, it would result in a dramatic shift in power. Democrats would be able to advance their policy agenda, while Republicans would gain greater leverage to pursue theirs.

Both Senate districts held primary elections to determine the candidates for the special election on November 4. In Senate District 47, DFL State Representative Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger secured the Democratic endorsement and will face Dwight Dorau, who ran unopposed for the Republican nomination. SD 47 includes most of the city of Woodbury, which DFL Senator Mitchell carried in 2022 by a 17.5-point margin.

Senate District 29 is a more rural area that stretches southwest of the I-94 corridor between Albertville and Clearwater. It encompasses the cities of Annandale, Maple Lake, Buffalo, and Delano. This race will feature DFL candidate Louis McNutt against GOP candidate Michael Holmstrom Jr., vying for the seat previously held by Bruce Anderson, who won by a wide margin in 2022.