Ballotpedia's 2012 General Election Preview Articles: Minnesota State Legislature

October 31, 2012

By Ballotpedia's State legislative team

Minnesota's State Legislative Elections in 2012
Senate seats	Contested senate seats	House seats	Contested house seats
67	63 (94.0%)	134	129 (96.2%)

ST. PAUL: Minnesota: There are 110 total legislative seats with 2012 elections in Minnesota, where most polling places are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm Central Time. However, some smaller municipalities may open as late as 10:00 AM.

The State Senate is currently under Republican control, 37 to 30. 16 incumbents, 12 Republican and 4 Democrats, are retiring from the Senate this year. The 134-seat House of Representatives is 72-61 in favor of the Republicans with 1 vacant seat. The 28 retiring incumbents, 15 are Republicans and 13 are Democrats. Both chambers could potential change hands in this election.

Of the 200 incumbents up for election in 2012, 169 (84.5%) of them are running for re-election. A total of 192 of 201 (95.5%) districts will see more than one major party candidate in the general election.

Here are a few races to watch:

House

• In District 5A, incumbent John Persell (D) will face Larry Howes (R) in the general election.
• Incumbents Tom Anzelc (D) and Carolyn McElfatrick (R) will face each other in District 5B.
• In District 32B, former State Senator Rick Olseen (D) will face incumbent Bob Barrett (R).

Minnesota State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	30	39
	Republican Party	37	28
Total		67	67

Minnesota House of Representatives
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	61	73
	Republican Party	72	61
	Vacancy	1	0
Total		134	134

Articles

• 2012 elections preview: Minnesota voters to select winners in congressional, legislative primaries August 6

See also

• Ballotpedia's 2012 General Election Preview Articles: Minnesota Congressional Seats
• Ballotpedia:2012 general election preview articles
• State legislative elections, 2012
• Minnesota elections, 2012

• Minnesota State Senate elections, 2012
• Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2012