This browser does not support the Video element.
MN Legislature: Special elections to fill open seats
Multiple special elections are expected to fill three seats at the Minnesota Legislature following the deaths of Rep. Melissa Hortman and Sen. Bruce Anderson, as well as the conviction of Sen. Nicole Mitchell.
BUFFALO, Minn. (FOX 9) - A special election primary for Minnesota Senate District 29, held on Tuesday to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Bruce Anderson has led to the nominations of GOP candidate Michael Holmstrom Jr. and Louis McNutt to represent the DFL ticket.
MN Senate District 29
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued a Writs of Special Election to fill the vacancy in Senate District 29, which includes parts of Hennepin and Meeker counties, and much of Wright County.
According to results from the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office, Michael Holmstrom Jr. defeated two other Republican challengers, Rachel Davis and Bradley Kurtz.
Holmstrom won with 73% of the vote. Kurtz was his closest challenger at nearly 22%.
What's next:
Holmstrom will face Louis McNutt, the sole DFL candidate on the ballot, in November.
A special primary election for Minnesota Senate District 47, which was left vacant by Sen. Nicole Mitchell, after she resigned in July following a jury finding her guilty of first-degree burglary, was also held on Tuesday.
Both special elections for the two Senate Districts will be held on Election Day, Nov. 4, 2025.
Local perspective:
According to his campaign website, Holmstrom is a small business owner and a longtime Republican activist. McNutt is a worker with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and a member of the union representing DOT workers.
Bruce Anderson death
Dig deeper:
Anderson, 75, died unexpectedly on July 21, 2025.
He began his legislative career in 1995, focusing on issues such as agriculture, energy, rural economic development, broadband access and public safety.
Anderson, a Republican, was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012, and was actively serving at the time of his death.
Before entering politics, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, and in the Minnesota Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserves.