Democrats Hold Slim 1-Seat Majority In Minnesota Senate After Special Elections

ST. PAUL, MN — Democrats will retain control of the Minnesota Senate by one seat following Tuesday’s pair of special elections, with DFL candidate Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger defeating Republican Dwight Dorau in District 47 and Republican Michael Holmstrom Jr. holding District 29 for the GOP.

Hemmingsen-Jaeger won decisively in the east-metro district that includes Woodbury and parts of Maplewood, receiving 13,527 votes (61.69 percent) to Dorau’s 8,383 votes (38.23 percent).

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Meanwhile, Holmstrom defeated DFL candidate Louis McNutt in District 29, which covers Wright County and parts of Hennepin and Meeker counties, with 12,328 votes (62.23 percent) to McNutt’s 7,459 votes (37.65 percent).

With those results, Democrats will continue to hold a 34–33 majority in the Senate, preserving their single-seat advantage.

"Minnesotans have once again placed their trust in our party to keep leading the Senate and making life more affordable for working families," DFL Chair Richard Carlbom said in a statement Tuesday night.

"Senator-elect Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger’s decisive win ensures DFLers can continue our work building on policies like paid family leave and free school meals."

Carlbom also thanked McNutt for his campaign in District 29, saying it energized new volunteers and donors for future races.

Republicans had hoped to win both seats to take control of the chamber, but fell short.

The Minnesota House of Representatives remains split 67–67, leaving the chamber under a power-sharing agreement between Democrats and Republicans.

With Gov. Tim Walz in the governor’s office and the Senate narrowly in DFL hands, Minnesota will enter 2026 with a government divided by razor-thin margins.