News

Two open legislative seats filled

Photo: Gino Crescoli, Photos.com

Feb 13, 2013 at 6:43 am

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Two Minnesota House district seats stayed in the same partisan column after special elections to replace lawmakers who resigned after the last election.

The St. Cloud area seat vacated by Republican Steve Gottwalt, who resigned to take a job as a lobbyist for a health care provider, was won by Republican Tama Theis. Theis beat Democrat Joanne Dorsher and Todd McKee of the Independence Party.

Theis finished with 2,670 votes. Dorsher had 2,091. McKee finished a distance third with 130 votes.

This will be the first time Theis has held elected office. The small business owner expects to be sworn in soon. She will be the first woman from St. Cloud to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

The other special election was in a district that includes St. Peter, North Mankato and surrounding communities.

The St. Peter-area seat open after Democrat Terry Morrow left for a job in Chicago was won by Democrat Clark Johnson.