Notable Minnesota races, 2016

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Notable Minnesota Races
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PrimaryAugust 9, 2016
GeneralNovember 8, 2016
2016 Notable Races
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Ballotpedia identified 16 notable Minnesota state legislative races in 2016, 14 of which were general election races. The Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota State Senate were also two of 20 battleground chambers Ballotpedia tracked in the November 2016 election.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Each party held a majority in one legislative chamber heading into the election.
  • Two races featured rematches of 2014 contests.
  • Open seats in three legislative districts attracted competitive fields.

    • Overview

    Main articles: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2016 and Minnesota State Senate elections, 2016

    All 134 state House seats and all 67 state Senate seats were up for election in 2016.

    Partisan breakdown of the Minnesota Legislature
    Party Republicans Democrats
    Minnesota House 73 seats 61 seats
    Minnesota Senate 28 seats 39 seats

    Democrats gained a state government trifecta in the 2012 election, when they picked up both chambers of the state legislature. They lost the trifecta in the 2014 election, when Republicans won control of the state House. Each party held a majority in one legislative chamber heading into the 2016 election. Gov. Mark Dayton (D) was not up for election in 2016.

    Three legislative districts—House District 6A, Senate District 44, and Senate District 58—saw competitive open races in 2016.[1] Democratic former lawmakers in House District 14B and House District 17B mounted rematches against the Republican incumbents who narrowly defeated them in 2014.[1][2] The Democratic incumbent in Senate District 17 and the Republican incumbent in Senate District 32 both faced competitive races against GOP challengers.[1][3][4]

    What makes a race notable?

    Ballotpedia uses these criteria to identify notable races:

    • Incumbents facing more conservative or liberal challengers
    • Rematches between candidates
    • Races that receive considerable media attention
    • Races that could significantly affect the state's partisan balance
    • Competitive races involving party leaders
    • Open, competitive races with Republican and Democratic primaries
    • Races that capture money and attention from outside groups, including key endorsements

    Know of an interesting race we should include here? Email us!

    Notable primary elections

    House District 6A - Democratic primary

    Four Democratic candidates competed for the open seat vacated by a Democratic incumbent.

    Rep. Carly Melin (D) did not run for re-election to her House District 6A seat in 2016, and the open race attracted a crowded Democratic primary field.[5] Four candidates—Ben DeNucci, Julie Sandstede, Mike Thompson, and Tom Whiteside—competed for the Democratic nomination.[1] Sandstede defeated Robert Farnsworth, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary, in the November general election.[1]

    Minnesota House of Representatives, District 6A Democratic Primary, 2016
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Julie Sandstede 35.71% 1,676
         Democratic Tom Whiteside 31.04% 1,457
         Democratic Ben DeNucci 27.74% 1,302
         Democratic Mike Thompson 5.52% 259
    Total Votes 4,694


    Senate District 32 - Republican primary

    A vulnerable Republican incumbent faced a strong primary challenger.

    Sen. Sean Nienow (R), who declared bankruptcy in 2014, first won election to the state Senate in District 17 in 2002.[4][6] After losing to Democratic challenger Rick Olseen in 2006, he reclaimed the District 17 seat in the 2010 GOP wave.[4][7][8] In 2012, following redistricting, he ran and won in Senate District 32.[9] However, District 32 Republicans endorsed Nienow's primary challenger Mark Koran in the 2016 contest.[4] Koran defeated Tim Nelson, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, in the November general election.[1]

    Minnesota State Senate, District 32 Republican Primary, 2016
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Republican Green check mark transparent.png Mark Koran 63.39% 1,709
         Republican Sean Nienow Incumbent 36.61% 987
    Total Votes 2,696

    Notable general elections

    Senate District 1 - General election

    Two candidates ran for an open Democratic seat.

    Incumbent LeRoy Stumpf (D) did not seek re-election. Kip Fontaine defeated Jual Carlson in the Democratic primary. Mark Johnson defeated Edwin Dale Hahn in the Republican primary. Johnson defeated Fontaine in the general election.

    This district was included in the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee's list of "2016 Essential Races." Read more »

    Senate District 17 - General election

    A Republican candidate challenged the Democratic incumbent in a potentially competitive race.

    Sen. Lyle Koenen (DFL) was defeated by Republican candidate Andrew Lang in 2016.[1][3] Then-Rep. Koenen won the Senate District 17 seat in a 2012 special election after redistricting drew him into the same district as another House incumbent.[9][10] Koenen and Lang both ran unopposed in their respective primaries.[1]

    Senate District 21 - General election

    A freshman Democratic incumbent faces a challenge in a tight district.

    Incumbent Matt Schmit (D) was defeated by Republican candidate Mike Goggin. Both candidates were unopposed in their respective primaries.

    In 2012, Schmit was elected to the state Senate after he defeated Republican incumbent John Howe (R) by a margin of victory of five percent. What should be concerning to Democrats is that both House districts are held by Republican incumbents. In 2012, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney won the district by 3 percent.[11]

    Senate District 24 - General election

    A freshman Democratic incumbent faces a strong challenger.

    Republican Faribault Mayor John Jasinski defeated freshman Democratic incumbent Vicki Jensen (DFL). Jensen won election to the Senate in 2012, defeating her opponent by 5 percent. As with the Senate District 21 seat, both House districts are held by Republican incumbents. In 2012, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney won the district by 5 percent. Both the Democratic and Republican state political parties see Senate District 24 as a priority.[11]

    Senate District 44 - General election

    A Democratic candidate and a Republican candidate competed for the open seat vacated by the Democratic incumbent.

    Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL) ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District, rather than seeking re-election to her state Senate District 44 seat.[1][12][13] Democratic candidate Deb Calvert and Republican candidate Paul Anderson competed for the open seat.[1] Calvert and Anderson both ran unopposed in their respective primaries.[1]

    Senate District 53 - General election

    A Republican candidate challenged the Democratic incumbent.

    Incumbent Susan Kent (D) ran for re-election. Kent defeated Sharna Wahlgren (R) in the general election. Kent was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Wahlgren defeated Bill Dahn in the Republican primary. In 2014, Kent won election to the chamber by 4.4 percent.

    This district was included in the Republican State Leadership Committee's list of "16 in '16: Races to Watch." Read more »

    Senate District 58 - General election

    A Democratic candidate and a Republican candidate competed for the open seat vacated by the Republican incumbent.

    Sen. Dave Thompson (R), vice president and general counsel for Renters Warehouse, retired from the Senate in 2016 to open a North Carolina office for the company.[14] Republican candidate Tim Pitcher and Democratic candidate Matt Little competed for the open seat in District 58.[1] Pitcher and Little both ran unopposed in their respective primaries.[1]

    This district was included in the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee's list of "2016 Essential Races." Read more »

    House District 14B - General election

    A Democratic former lawmaker challenged the Republican incumbent to a rematch.

    Former Rep. Zach Dorholt (DFL) represented District 14B in the state House from 2013 to 2015.[15][2] He lost to Rep. Jim Knoblach (R) by 69 votes in the 2014 election, but mounted a rematch bid in 2016.[1][2] Knoblach and Dorholt both ran unopposed in their respective primaries.[1] Knoblach defeated Dorholt in the November election.

    House District 17B - General election

    A Democratic former lawmaker challenged the Republican incumbent to a rematch.

    Former Rep. Mary Sawatzky (DFL) held the seat in House District 17B from 2013 to 2015.[15][2] She lost to Rep. Dave Baker (R) by 214 votes in the 2014 election, but mounted a rematch bid in 2016.[1][2] Baker and Sawatzky both ran unopposed in their respective primaries.[1] Baker defeated Sawatzky in the November election.

    House District 21A - General election

    Campaign contributions flood into an open seat vacated by a Republican representative.

    Incumbent Tim Kelly (R) did not seek re-election. Lisa Bayley (DFL) is a member of the Red Wing City Council. Her opponent, Barb Haley (R), is a businesswoman. Both candidates made significant fundraising efforts, with reports showing a slight advantage towards Bayley.[11][16] Haley defeated Bayley in the November election.

    House District 25B - General election

    A former Republican lawmaker is running in a district vacated by a Democratic representative.

    Realtor and small business owner Duane Sauke (DFL) defeated Fran Bradley (R) in the general election. Bradley was a representative in the state House from 1995-2006. In 2006, when incumbent Kim Norton (DFL) won election, she did so by beating her opponent by under 1 percent of the vote. Margins of victory in District 25B have widened for Democrats in the elections following 2006. In 2012, President Barack Obama won the district by 9 percent. Sauke and Bradley both ran unopposed in the August 9, 2016, primary election.[11]

    House District 27A - General election

    A Republican incumbent is running for re-election in a district with a history of flipping.

    House District 27A has seen four different representatives since 2010. Since that point, no incumbent has managed to hold the seat past a first term. Incumbent Peggy Bennett (R) looked to break that trend. Her opponent, Gary Schindler (DFL), is the Riverland Community College Dean of Students.[11] Bennett defeated Schindler in the November election.

    House District 28B - General election

    A Republican incumbent ran for re-election against a Democratic candidate.

    Incumbent Greg Davids (R) defeated Thomas Trehus (D) in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in their respective primaries. In 2014, Davids won re-election to the seat by a margin of victory of 11.9 percent.

    This district was included in the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee's list of "2016 Essential Races." Read more »

    House District 42B - General election

    Two candidates ran for an open Democratic seat.

    Incumbent Jason Isaacson (D) did not seek re-election. Jamie Becker-Finn (D) defeated Tracy Nelson (R) in the general election. In 2014, Isaacson won re-election to the seat by a margin of victory of 4.8 percent.

    This district was included in the Republican State Leadership Committee's list of "16 in '16: Races to Watch." Read more »


    Freshman legislators

    The following is a list of challengers who won election on November 8.

    1. Andrew Carlson (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 50B
    2. Andrew Lang (Republican), .Minnesota State Senate, District 17
    3. Andrew Mathews (Republican), .Minnesota State Senate, District 15
    4. Barb Haley (Republican), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 21A
    5. Calvin Bahr (Republican), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 31B
    6. Carolyn Laine (Democratic), .Minnesota State Senate, District 41
    7. Dan Schoen (Democratic), .Minnesota State Senate, District 54
    8. Dario Anselmo (Republican), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 49A
    9. Duane Sauke (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 25B
    10. Erik Simonson (Democratic), .Minnesota State Senate, District 7
    11. Erin Koegel (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 37A
    12. Erin Maye Quade (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 57A
    13. Fue Lee (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 59A
    14. Ilhan Omar (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 60B
    15. Jamie Becker-Finn (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 42B
    16. Jason Isaacson (Democratic), .Minnesota State Senate, District 42
    17. Jerry Newton (Democratic), .Minnesota State Senate, District 37
    18. Jerry Relph (Republican), .Minnesota State Senate, District 14
    19. John Jasinski (Republican), .Minnesota State Senate, District 24
    20. John Poston (Republican), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 9A
    21. Julie Sandstede (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 6A
    22. Justin Eichorn (Republican), .Minnesota State Senate, District 5
    23. Keith Franke (Republican), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 54A
    24. Laurie Pryor (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 48A
    25. Liz Olson (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 7B
    26. Mark Johnson (Minnesota) (Republican), .Minnesota State Senate, District 1
    27. Mark Koran (Republican), .Minnesota State Senate, District 32
    28. Mary Kunesh-Podein (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 41B
    29. Matt Bliss (Republican), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 5A
    30. Matt Klein (Democratic), .Minnesota State Senate, District 52
    31. Matt Little (Democratic), .Minnesota State Senate, District 58
    32. Matthew Grossell (Republican), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 2A
    33. Mike Goggin (Republican), .Minnesota State Senate, District 21
    34. Nick Frentz (Democratic), .Minnesota State Senate, District 19
    35. Nolan West (Republican), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 37B
    36. Paul Anderson (Minnesota Senate) (Republican), .Minnesota State Senate, District 44
    37. Paul Utke (Republican), .Minnesota State Senate, District 2
    38. Randy Jessup (Republican), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 42A
    39. Regina Barr (Republican), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 52B
    40. Rich Draheim (Republican), .Minnesota State Senate, District 20
    41. Sandy Layman (Republican), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 5B
    42. Scott Jensen (Minnesota) (Republican), .Minnesota State Senate, District 47
    43. Steve Cwodzinski (Democratic), .Minnesota State Senate, District 48
    44. Tony Jurgens (Republican), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 54B

    Defeated incumbents

    The following is a list of incumbents who were defeated on November 8.

    1. Barb Yarusso (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 42A
    2. Chad Anderson (Republican), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 50B
    3. David Hann (Republican), .Minnesota State Senate, District 48
    4. John Persell (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 5A
    5. Kevin Dahle (Democratic), .Minnesota State Senate, District 20
    6. Lyle Koenen (Democratic), .Minnesota State Senate, District 17
    7. Matt Schmit (Democratic), .Minnesota State Senate, District 21
    8. Rod Skoe (Democratic), .Minnesota State Senate, District 2
    9. Ron Erhardt (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 49A
    10. Tom Anzelc (Democratic), .Minnesota House of Representatives, District 5B
    11. Tom Saxhaug (Democratic), .Minnesota State Senate, District 5
    12. Vicki Jensen (Democratic), .U.S. House, Minnesota, District 1

    See also

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, "Legislative Candidates Registered With the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board," August 2, 2016
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Results for All State Representative Races," January 28, 2015
    3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 MPR News, "Special Session or Not? MN Lawmaker Re-Elections Could Hinge on Answer," June 15, 2016
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 MPR News, "Nienow Loses GOP Endorsement in 4th Term Bid," March 23, 2016
    5. ↑ Duluth News Tribune, "Carly Melin Won't Seek Re-Election to Legislature," January 14, 2016
    6. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Results for All State Senators," May 23, 2003
    7. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Official Results General Election - Nov. 7, 2006," December 13, 2006
    8. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Unofficial Results General November 2, 2010," January 19, 2011
    9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Unofficial Results Tuesday, November 6, 2012," December 7, 2012
    10. ↑ Twin Cities Daily Planet, "Rep. Lyle Koenen of Clara City: Complicated Road to the Minnesota Senate," April 23, 2012
    11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Post-Bulletin, "Top 5 legislative races in SE Minn," August 30, 2016
    12. ↑ MPR News, "State Sen. Bonoff Challenges Paulsen for Congress," April 16, 2016
    13. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Statement of Candidacy," May 3, 2016
    14. ↑ Minneapolis Star Tribune, "Sen. Dave Thompson Not Running for Re-Election," January 5, 2016
    15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Results for All State Representative Races," December 7, 2012
    16. ↑ Post-Bulletin, "5 takeaways from legislative campaign reports," July 27, 2016
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