2018 Minnesota Senate District 13 special election explained

Election Name:District 13 special election, 2018
Country:Minnesota
Flag Year:1983
Type:by-election
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:Minnesota Senate election, 2016
Previous Year:2016
Next Election:Minnesota Senate election, 2020
Next Year:2020
Seats For Election:Minnesota Senate District 13
Nominee1:Jeff Howe
Party1:Republican Party of Minnesota
Popular Vote1:21,714
Percentage1:57.38%
Nominee2:Joe Perske
Party2:Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
Popular Vote2:16,108
Percentage2:42.57%
Senator
Before Election:Michelle Fischbach
Before Party:Republican Party of Minnesota
After Election:Jeff Howe
After Party:Republican Party of Minnesota

A special election was held in the U.S. state of Minnesota on November 6, 2018, to elect a new senator for District 13 in the Minnesota Senate, caused by the resignation of Republican Senator Michelle Fischbach effective on May 25, 2018. The special election determined which political party would control the Senate given that Fischbach's resignation left it equally divided between the Republicans and the DFL. Jeff Howe won the special election, preserving a Republican one-seat majority. The special election coincided with the 2018 general election.

Background

In early January 2018, Republican Senator Michelle Fischbach became lieutenant governor after Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith resigned to be appointed to the U.S. Senate. As president of the Senate, Fischbach was first in line to succeed her. She did not resign from the Senate, citing a Senate counsel opinion that she could both hold her Senate seat and be lieutenant governor. Several DFLers disagreed, including Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk and Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson, asserting that holding both positions violated constitutional separation of powers.[1]

On January 12, 2018, Destiny Dusosky, then-chair of the Senate District 13 DFL, filed a lawsuit challenging Fischbach's ability to remain in the Senate. The lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice on February 12, 2018, by Chief Judge John Guthmann of the Minnesota Second District Court in Ramsey County, who said the lawsuit was premature as it was unclear whether the Senate would allow her to continue to serve once the Legislature reconvened later that month. Guthmann also denied a request for a temporary restraining order to prevent Fischbach from serving in the Senate.[2] Dusosky filed a second lawsuit in April 2018, charging that Fischbach's status in the Senate was still undetermined.[3]

On May 25, 2018, Fischbach resigned from the Senate and took the oath of office as lieutenant governor. She said the end of the legislative session and Governor Mark Dayton's pledge that he would not call a special session prompted her decision to resign. Following Fischbach's resignation, Dusosky withdrew her lawsuit. Fischbach said she would not run in the special election.[4]

District 13 includes parts of Benton and Stearns counties. Fischbach became its senator in February 1996 after winning a special election. In the last election in 2016, she won 69% of the vote.

Candidates

The candidate filing period was from May 29 through June 5, 2018.[5] A primary election was not held.

Republican Party of Minnesota

Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party

Withdrawn

Results

Candidate!Party!Votes!%
Jeff HoweRepublican Party of Minnesota21,71457.38
Joe PerskeMinnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party16,10842.57
N/AWrite-ins200.05
Total37,842100.00
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State[11]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Constituent sues Lt. Gov. Michelle Fischbach, says she must give up Senate seat . Van Berkel . Jessie . January 12, 2018 . . January 28, 2018.
  2. Web site: Ramsey County judge dismisses lawsuit against Fischbach over Senate seat, but fight likely not over. Van Berkel. Jessie. February 12, 2018. Star Tribune. February 12, 2018.
  3. News: Constituent sues Minnesota Lt. Gov. Michelle Fischbach for remaining in Senate. Coolican. J. Patrick. April 10, 2018. Star Tribune. May 25, 2018.
  4. News: Fischbach resigns from state Senate, is sworn in as lieutenant governor. Golden. Erin. May 25, 2018. Star Tribune. May 25, 2018. Coolican. J. Patrick.
  5. Web site: Senate District 13 Special Election. Minnesota Secretary of State. May 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180526113012/https://www.sos.state.mn.us/election-administration-campaigns/elections-calendar/senate-district-13-special-election/. May 26, 2018. dead.
  6. News: Van Berkel. Jessie. State Rep. Jeff Howe enters race to determine political control of state Senate. May 29, 2018. Star Tribune. May 29, 2018.
  7. News: Hertel . Nora G. . Rockville rep runs for Michelle Fischbach's Senate seat . July 2, 2018 . . May 29, 2018 . en.
  8. News: Van Berkel . Jessie . Two DFLers enter state Senate race to replace Fischbach . May 31, 2018 . . May 31, 2018.
  9. News: Hertel . Nora G. . Former Sartell mayor makes bid for Fischbach's Senate seat . July 2, 2018 . . June 1, 2018 . en.
  10. News: Central Minnesotans withdrawal, file anew as election window closes . June 4, 2018 . . June 4, 2018 . en.
  11. News: Results for State Senator District 13 . November 6, 2018 . . en.