News

Voters winnow fields for 2 open Minnesota Senate seats

Photo: Comstock, Photos.com

Sep 13, 2011 at 8:30 am

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Voters in Minneapolis and the Brooklyn Park area are narrowing their choices to fill two open Minnesota Senate seats in special primary elections on Tuesday.

A Democratic primary in Minneapolis features six candidates vying to succeed long-term Sen. Linda Berglin, a Democrat who resigned to work for Hennepin County.

State Rep. Jeff Hayden has racked up major endorsements, including the party's backing.

The winner of that primary will face contenders from the Republican, Independence and Green parties in an Oct. 18 special election.

Meanwhile, both Republicans and Democrats hold primaries in a Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center district.

The winners of those contests will face off with an Independence Party candidate to determine a successor for the late Sen. Linda Scheid, who died of cancer in June.