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Special election for MN Senate District 60 set for January after Dziedzic's death

By
Published  December 30, 2024 12:26pm CST
Election
FOX 9

Minnesotans remember Sen. Kari Dziedzic

Minnesota Sen. Kari Dziedzic has died of cancer. Her death comes less than a year after she announced her cancer had returned. Dziedzic represented Minneapolis and served as Senate Majority Leader from January 2023 until she stepped down in February 2024.

The Brief

    • Gov. Walz scheduled a special election for Jan. 28, 2025, to fill the vacancy in Senate District 60.
    • Minnesota Sen. Kari Dziedzic, who represented Senate District 60, died on Dec. 27.
    • A special election for House District 40B will be held on the same day.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A special election will be held in January to fill the vacancy in Senate District 60 after Sen. Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis) died.

Walz schedules special election for Senate District 60

What we know: Gov. Tim Walz on Monday issued a writ of special election to fill the Senate District 60 vacancy in Hennepin County after Dziedzic died on Dec. 27.

The special election will be held on Jan. 28, 2025. If necessary, a primary election will be held on Jan. 14, 2025. 

Candidates who are interested in running must file an affidavit of candidacy and nominating petition with the Minnesota Secretary of State by 5 p.m. on Dec. 31. 

Dig deeper: The Senate District 60 special election will be held on the same day as the special election for House District 40B after a judge determined the winner of that race, Democrat Curtis Johnson, didn't live in the district, so wasn't eligible. 

Sen. Dziedzic dies of cancer

The backstory: Dziedzic, 62, died on Dec. 27 while surrounded by family, according to a statement from her family. 

She was elected to represent Senate District 60 in January 2012, and served as Senate Majority Leader from January 2023 until she stepped down from the role in February 2024, after her ovarian cancer returned.

In 2024, she got a bill passed to help fellow cancer patients get coverage for wigs. The law takes effect on Jan. 1. 

As she was being treated for cancer, she worked remotely during the 2024 legislative session. She never missed a vote. 

Dziedzic's death leaves the Minnesota Senate at a 33-33 split. 

ElectionPoliticsMinneapolis