Special Primary Election to Fill Seat of Slain Minnesota Lawmaker
A special primary election is set to take place on Tuesday, deciding the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidate for the seat of the late Representative Melissa Hortman. This comes nearly two months after her tragic assassination, alongside her husband Mark, which has left a significant impact on the Minnesota political landscape.
The alleged perpetrator, Vance Boelter, faces multiple charges related to the killings of Hortman and her husband, as well as the injuries inflicted upon state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, both of whom survived the attack. As the community grapples with this loss, the primary election will determine which candidate will represent the DFL in the upcoming special election scheduled for September 16, 2024.
Voters in District 34B, which covers parts of the northern Twin Cities metro area including Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, and Champlin, will select from three Democratic candidates: current City Councilmember Christian Eriksen, Hennepin County prosecutor Erickson Saye, and former Brooklyn Park City Councilmember Xp Lee. The winner of this primary will face off against Republican candidate Ruth Bittner, who is running unopposed.
Melissa Hortman, who served in the Minnesota House since 2004, was a prominent figure in the state legislature, having won her district in the 2022 election and earning reelection in 2024. District 34B has leaned Democratic since the 2018 election, making this primary critical for maintaining the party’s representation.
State law mandates that the vacant seat must be filled before the next legislative session, adding urgency to the election process. Polls for the primary will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, providing voters the opportunity to voice their choice in this pivotal moment for the community.
As the election approaches, the focus remains on honoring Melissa Hortman‘s legacy while ensuring that the constituents of District 34B continue to have their voices represented in the Minnesota House.
