Tuesday primary will determine DFL candidate for slain Rep. Melissa Hortman's seat
Vance Boelter is charged in the killings of House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, as well as the shootings of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who both survived.
There are four candidates with their names in the hat for the special election in Melissa Hortman's district, 34B — three Democrats and a Republican.
On Tuesday, voters will select which DFL candidate they want to see on the ballot next month for the special election. Voters will pick from current City Councilmember Christian Eriksen, Hennepin County prosecutor Erickson Saye and former Brooklyn Park City Councilmember Xp Lee.
The winner will square off against Republican candidate and real estate agent Ruth Bittner, who is running unopposed.
Melissa Hortman won the district in 2022 and was reelected in 2024, but served 11 terms in the Minnesota House since first being elected in 2004.
District 34B has been a blue seat since the 2018 election. It encompasses parts of the northern Twin Cities metro, including parts of Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids and Champlin.
State law dictates the seat must be filled before the next legislative session. The special election will be held Sept. 16.
Primary polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Boelter has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
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