Doron Clark projected to win special election for Minn. Senate District 60, tipping chamber into DFL's favor
MINNEAPOLIS — A tie at the Minnesota Senate has come to an end as the DFL's Doron Clark is projected to win the special election for District 60 with 90.9% of the vote.
Clark ran against Republican Abigail Wolters for the seat, which was left empty after Sen. Kari Dziedzic died of ovarian cancer last month. The former Minnesota Senate majority leader had represented the district in northeastern Minneapolis for 12 years.
Clark, who grew up in southeast Minnesota and works in ethics and compliance for Medtronic, won the Jan. 13 primary with 38% of the vote.
"Thank you SD60! " CIark said in a social media post. "I am honored to be your Senator-elect and deliver the DFL majority back to the MN Senate. Thank you to everyone who knocked doors, made phone calls, and supported our campaign. I can't wait to get to work for all Minnesotans!"
What was a 33-33 tie in the Senate will now lean in the Democrats' favor. The chamber had been operating under a power-sharing agreement until the election. After Clark's election is certified and he is seated, the chamber will have to take a vote to undo that deal, which has GOP and DFL lawmakers co-chairing committees and switching off who presides over the Senate chamber.
"Tonight's victory in defending our one-seat majority in the Minnesota Senate highlights how every seat matters and can make a difference in shaping the balance of power in the states where so many chambers are decided by the slimmest of margins," Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams said. "Democrats must ensure that we aren't giving an inch and are ready to take advantage of every opportunity to defend and strengthen our state legislative majorities in these uncertain times."
The Minnesota House of Representatives, on the other hand, remains locked in a power struggle as DFL representatives are continuing to boycott the session.
Republicans have been unable to do anything official since the state Supreme Court ruled late last week that 68 members constitute a quorum to conduct House business. That nullified everything that's happened in the state House so far.
Because the Democrats have been boycotting in a prolonged power dispute, Republicans haven't been able to do anything.
The parties were tied 67-67 on Election Day, but a judge nullified one DFL candidate's victory, giving the GOP a one-seat edge but not the quorum required to get business done.