Nearly a week after Election Day, we have final results. And in typical Minnesota fashion, divided government will continue.
Come January 5, the Minnesota Senate will remain controlled by Republicans with the slimmest of margins, 34-33. The Minnesota House will remain in DFL control 70-64, albeit with a slimmer margin than they previously had.
Many housing champions from both parties won election or re-election to the Capitol. In fact, sixty-six out of sixty-nine (96%) Housing First PAC endorsees were victorious!
Housing First Minnesota elevated the housing industry during the 2020 election. “Elections are about priorities, and there is no doubt that housing was elevated as a top tier issue across the state thanks to our efforts in the 2020 elections,” said David Siegel, Housing First Minnesota Executive Director. “Our strategic plan calls for us to highlight housing’s importance and grow the caucus of housing champions and I’m pleased to report that we achieved these objectives.”
We now turn our attention to working with Governor Walz and the new legislature in January.
Some of the more high profile housing races include:
Senate District 20: Former Legislator of the Year and Homebuilder Sen. Rich Draheim (R) defeated Jon Olson (DFL) 54%-40%
Senate District 27: Housing Industry Member Gene Dornink (R) defeated Sen. Dan Sparks 49%-44%
Senate District 32: 2020 Legislator of the Year Sen. Mark Koran (R) defeated Joshua Fike (DFL) 66%-34%
Senate District 34: Former Legislator of the Year and REALTOR ® Sen. Warren Limmer (R) defeated Bonnie Westlin (DFL) by 900 votes, 50%-49%
Senate District 39: REALTOR ® Sen. Karin Housley (R) defeated Josiah Hill (DFL) 53%-47%
Senate District 49: Housing Industry Member Melisa Lopez Franzen (DFL) defeated Julie Dupre (R) 63%-37%
Senate District 58: REALTOR ® Zach Duckworth (R) defeated Sen. Matt Little (DFL) 55%-45%
House District 14A: Housing Industry Member Rep. Tama Theis (R) defeated Tamara Calhoun (DFL) 54%-46%
House District 14B: REALTOR ® Rep. Dan Wolgamott (DFL) defeated Paul Brandmire 56%-44%
House District 15B: 2020 Legislator of the Year and Housing Industry Member Rep. Shane Mekeland (R) defeated Ron Thiessen 71%-24%
House District 26B: REALTOR ® Rep. Nels Pierson (R) defeated Randy Brock (DFL) 51%-49%
House District 33A: Housing Industry Member Rep. Jerry Hertaus (R) defeated Caitlin Cahill (DFL) 58%-42%
House District 36A: Housing First endorsed Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL) defeated Bill Maresh (R) 51%-49%
House District 47A: Former Legislator of the Year Rep. Jim Nash (R) defeated Arlan Brinkmeier 67%-33%
House District 54A: Housing First endorsed former Rep. Keith Franke (R) defeated Rep. Anne Claflin (DFL) 51%-48%
House District 54B: Housing First endorsed Rep. Tony Jurgens (R) defeated Kelsey Waits (DFL) 54%-46%
House District 56B: Housing First endorsed former Rep. Roz Peterson (R) was defeated by Kaela Berg (DFL) 47%-52%
House District 58A: REALTOR® Rep. Jon Koznick (R) defeated Erin Preese (DFL) 56%-44%
