Gov. Walz Issues Writs of Special Election for Two Senate Contests

(KNSI) – Two vacant Minnesota Senate seats will be filled this November, thanks to a motion made by Governor Tim Walz.

On Tuesday, Walz issued Writs of Special Election for Districts 29 and 47. The move will take care of openings brought about by the death of Republican Bruce Anderson and the resignation of DFL member Nicole Mitchell. She was found guilty in Becker County earlier this month of felony burglary after a home invasion at her stepmother’s place in Detroit Lakes. Mitchell said she was trying to recover some of her late father’s belongings that had been denied her after a family spat.

The writs call for primaries on Tuesday, August 26th, if necessary. The general election is slated for Tuesday, November 4th. The state legislature is not in session again until February 2026, which will give the winners of each contest plenty of time to settle into their new roles.

Affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions can be submitted at either the Secretary of State’s Office or the county auditors for each district represented. The forms are due by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6th.

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