Keri Heintzeman projected to win GOP primary in special election for Justin Eichorn's seat
Keri Heintzeman is projected to win the GOP primary for the special election to replace disgraced former state Sen. Justin Eichorn, who resigned last month following charges of attempting to pay a teenage girl for sex.
Heintzeman received more than 46% of the vote, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office. She will go on to face Denise Slipy, who ran uncontested on the DFL side.
There were eight Republicans on the primary ballot, all hoping to represent the Brainerd Lakes area — a district that was dominated by the DFL for many years but now leans toward the GOP.
The list includes former GOP Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan; Josh Gazelka, son of former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka; and Heintzeman, Trump campaign worker and wife of GOP state Rep. Josh Heintzeman. Here are the rest of the GOP candidates:
- Steve Cotariu
- Doug Kern
- John A Howe
- Angel Zierden
- Matthew Zinda
The polls opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 8 p.m. See the full results below.
The special election is set for April 29. Whoever wins will take the oath of office in early May ahead of the crucial final weeks before the legislative session must end on May 19.
