'Blue Wave': Minnesota Democrats Claim 'Trifecta' In State Government

ST. PAUL, MN — Instead of a "red wave," Minnesotans woke up Wednesday with Democrats claiming a "trifecta" victory in state government.

"We didn't have a red wave. It was a blue wave," Republican candidate for governor Scott Jensen admitted in his concession speech. "We need to recalibrate. We need to ask ourselves, 'Okay. What can we learn from this? What can we do better? How do we go forward?'"

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz is projected to win his reelection, and his party is projected to narrowly maintain control of the state House while flipping the state Senate their way.

"Tonight, the DFL Party defied all odds and made history by winning the Governor’s race and majorities in the state House and Senate," Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement.

"There has only been one trifecta in the past 31 years of Minnesota history, and during that time in 2013 and 2014, the DFL Party passed all-day kindergarten, raised the minimum wage, and legalized same-sex marriage in our state. I cannot wait to see the good our DFL Party will accomplish on behalf of Minnesotans everywhere during these next two years."

Martin said the Democrats' victory "belongs to House Speaker Melissa Hortman, Senate DFL Leader Melisa López Franzen, all of our fantastic candidates, and the organizers and activists who fought so hard for our movement."

Meanwhile, Democrats are projected to maintain control over the secretary of state, state auditor, and attorney general's office.

Republicans still have not won a statewide race in Minnesota since 2006.

Catch up from last night with Patch's continuing election coverage:

• Keith Ellison Ahead By Less Than 21K Votes In Attorney General Race
• Election Results: What Are Minnesota's Ballot Recount Laws?