Emily LeClaire
From Ballotpedia
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Emily LeClaire (Democratic Party) ran in a special election to the Minnesota State Senate to represent District 6. She did not appear on the ballot for the special Democratic primary on April 15, 2025.
Biography
Emily LeClaire was born in Brainerd, Minnesota. She graduated from Brainerd High School. Her career experience includes working as a direct care professional for vulnerable adults and as a mental health program assistant for children. She has been affiliated with the Crow Wing County DFL.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: Minnesota state legislative special elections, 2025
General election
Special general election for Minnesota State Senate District 6
Keri Heintzeman defeated Denise Slipy in the special general election for Minnesota State Senate District 6 on April 29, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Keri Heintzeman (R) | 60.3 | 12,752 |
| Denise Slipy (D) | 39.6 | 8,376 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 30 | ||
| Total votes: 21,158 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Special Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 6
Denise Slipy advanced from the special Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 6 on April 15, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Denise Slipy | 100.0 | 1,195 | |
| Total votes: 1,195 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Samuel Patrick Grigsby (D)
- Nicky Hardy (D)
- Emily LeClaire (D)
Republican primary election
Special Republican primary for Minnesota State Senate District 6
The following candidates ran in the special Republican primary for Minnesota State Senate District 6 on April 15, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Keri Heintzeman | 46.8 | 3,404 |
| John Howe | 15.5 | 1,127 | ||
| Jennifer Carnahan | 11.2 | 812 | ||
| Josh Gazelka | 9.3 | 679 | ||
| Steve Cotariu | 6.3 | 458 | ||
| Angela Zierden | 5.6 | 407 | ||
| Doug Kern | 5.0 | 363 | ||
| Matthew Zinda | 0.4 | 28 | ||
| Total votes: 7,278 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for LeClaire in this election.
2024
See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6B
Incumbent Josh Heintzeman defeated Emily LeClaire and Troy Scheffler in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6B on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Josh Heintzeman (R) | 63.4 | 15,744 |
 | Emily LeClaire (D) | 33.1 | 8,209 | |
| Troy Scheffler (Americans First Party) | 3.4 | 848 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 32 | ||
| Total votes: 24,833 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6B
Emily LeClaire advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6B on August 13, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Emily LeClaire | 100.0 | 1,062 |
| Total votes: 1,062 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6B
Incumbent Josh Heintzeman defeated Matthew Zinda in the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6B on August 13, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Josh Heintzeman | 91.0 | 2,032 |
| Matthew Zinda | 9.0 | 200 | ||
| Total votes: 2,232 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for LeClaire in this election.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Emily LeClaire did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.
2024
Emily LeClaire completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by LeClaire's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I'm a mother of 4. I am a lifelong resident of the Brainerd Lakes Area and an advocate for early childhood education and those living in poverty. I have worked in direct care and ministry and currently work in mental health.
- I will work toward Equality for all, specifically pushing for the passing of the Equal Rights Amendment.
- I will strive for expansion of the Head Start and Early Head Start programs that provide quality curriculum, nutrition, and supports for students as well as early intervention for mental health services that may be needed. I also support their unique programming that provides parent and family engagement and family education, along with opportunities for advocacy.
- I will work toward providing our area with high quality affordable housing. Housing is a universal need and affordable housing is in far too short a supply.
I am passionate about the basic, universal needs of all the citizens in our district. Those in our district living within or slightly above the threshold of poverty have gone far too long without representation. So many people are living paycheck to paycheck while dealing with rising costs in rent, utilities, groceries, and medical care. These issues have an effect on all of us and desperately need to be addressed.
First, let me say that I fully believe in and support the separation of church and state. Combining the two hinders both. That said, there's really only 1 answer for me, and that is Jesus. To me, following Jesus is all about loving others, putting their needs above your own. It means choosing to help those in need of food, water, shelter, friendship. It means forgiving those who have hurt you whether they have apologized or not. Following Jesus means sharing meals with people that others choose to judge. Meeting people where they are at, in their anger, frustration, heartache, or shame. Fighting for equality and justice, as we are all made equally.
I'll just say that my political philosophy is based on my upbringing and life experience. I grew up being taught that we are responsible for one another. We need to help others and care for people as we are able. We ought to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and comfort the grieving. I was taught that all people were created equal, and therefore it deserve equal treatments in the eyes of the law. You're my own life experience as a single mother I have experienced hardships such as food insecurity and unaffordable housing. I know what it's like to have to count every dollar when you're at the grocery store. I know what it is like to have to watch closely as you fill your gas tank because you need to make sure you don't go over the amount you have in your pocket. I understand the stress and agony that can be caused by having to juggle utility bills with rent with groceries and not knowing which bill you'll have to forgo paying that month in order to put food on the table, all while working multiple jobs.
My political philosophy is simple: each person is created equal and deserves empathy, respect, and access to the basic necessities it takes to make a life.
My political philosophy is simple: each person is created equal and deserves empathy, respect, and access to the basic necessities it takes to make a life.
A good representative should focus on the needs of their constituents, both those that voted for them and those that did not. An elected official needs to demonstrate empathy and compassion for those they serve and must always remember that they are there to serve the public. They must have a strong work ethic, be unafraid to get their hands dirty, and be willing to work across the aisle.
I have lived through a lot of difficult things and have continuously overcome adversity. I know what it means to fight for things. I can put myself in another's shoes as empathy comes easily for me. I have a history of advocating for children and families living in poverty. I will fight for the needs of my constituents with the same fervor I have always fought with.
The most important thing in our current political atmosphere is the ability to work well with others to get things done for the people we represent. We will not be able to accomplish anything if we are unable to do that. I believe that talking with people within our district is another major responsibility. We need to know what our people need and desire from their governing bodies. We must always remember that we are servants to the public, it is not the other way around. We must keep our district informed of our actions, votes, and where we stand on the issues as they arise.
We must be diligent in our efforts to read and research bills as they come up, and lean into people who have more knowledge on a subject than we do.
It is my sincerest hope that when I leave office my constituents are better for the time I spent in service to them.
The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. I was 11 years old. I was in my 6th grade reading class. I remember being afraid, but not being really sure of what was going on. Just the sudden feeling of not being safe, probably for the first time. I didn't even know what the World Trade Center was, until I saw it collapse. Every hour, no lesson plan was taught, just moving solemnly through the building from class to class and television to television. Listening, together, as our world view came unraveled. And, then my mom picked us up at lunch and brought us home.
My first job, other than babysitting, was as a Direct Support Professional in a group home for vulnerable adults where I worked for 4 and a half years.
The Midnight Club by Christopher Pike. It introduced me to his writing and I loved reading his books in Jr. High and High School.
Someday. From the Zombies movie soundtrack. Thanks, Disney.
Being a single mother I have faced a number of challenges. From mothering a child with ADHD, anxiety, and depression to navigating a plethora of financial challenges. I understand struggle inside out and upside down.
A working relationship, built on mutual respect that allows them to work together to best serve the state of Minnesota.
Talking with candidates across Rural Minnesota, it is clear that affordable housing, environmental protection, infrastructure, and job creation would be at the top of that list. We will face many challenges, some that we can see plainly, such as healthcare, education, and political polarization. There will likely be unforeseen challenges as well. The best way to combat these challenges is to have people in our House and Senate that are willing to work together across the aisle to get things done for the state of Minnesota.
Yes, to an extent. I believe that valuable experience in the political realm can come from many different avenues. I also believe that people need representation regardless of their current status. Many people are currently underrepresented because of the notion that representatives and legislators need have a certain level of education about political experience in order to serve. Because we have people from all lots of life and all sorts of backgrounds in the state of Minnesota it is important that they, too have representation.
Absolutely. We have to be able to work with each other, and a huge part of that is building relationships and building bridges. If we are able to see where the other legislators are coming from, and the issues important to their districts, it helps us to find middle ground that benefits all Minnesotans.
John Ward, who previously held this seat, has always been a role model for me. He is an amazing person and served the office with dignity and discernment. He is an inspiration to all who knows him. I also look up to great female leaders such as Katie Porter and Amy klobuchar. They prove over and over that strong women are needed in leadership positions up and down the ballot. I admire the hard work they've continued to do throughout their time in office with dedication and grace.
I would be open to it. I can't say I would commit to any specific office at this time, because I am fairly new to the political realm. However, I am passionate about serving the people I will represent, and will dedicate myself to fulfilling the responsibilities of the office in which I serve at any level elected.
One story that was very relatable to me was a woman who talked about the cost of her medication. Due to an insurance issue, she unexpectedly had to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket that she hadn't budgeted for. She talked about the fact that the extra expense meant she had no money for groceries for the following week. She expressed the relief she felt when the insurance problems were resolved and her copay was back to an affordable amount the following month. Both my parents are on medications they must take daily for their health, my daughter has inhalers to keep her asthma under control, my son has prescription medications for his ADHD. I know, my family, would be suffering financially if we had to pay for all of these things out of pocket. Healthcare is an important issue, and nobody should have to choose between eating and taking their medications.
Basically the entire US The Office series.
I feel part of the responsibility of the legislative branch is to provide a check on the executive branch. However, emergency situations may require immediate action to be taken. Therefore, the most logical way to provide that check is through scrutinizing those actions during and after the event.
There are a few things that come to mind. There are a lot of variables that go into making that decision, though. One thing I have to put at the forefront is the constituents. What do the people in my district need? What changes need to be made for them? What issues are most time sensitive? I also have to consider the other representatives, and what we'd be able to work on together.
That said, the ERA would likely be the first thing I would work toward.
That said, the ERA would likely be the first thing I would work toward.
I'm interested in a great many of our committees, particularly those that focus on socioeconomic issues and education. I'm also interested in the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, due to the fact that my father and many members of my father's side of the family are veterans in the military and I believe that serving our veterans when they have spent so much time serving us should be at the top of every legislative priority list.
Financial transparency in the government is absolutely necessary. The people we represent ought to know exactly where their tax dollars are going whether it be in pursuit of fulfilling legislation that has passed or in regard to campaign fundraising and personal expenses of the representatives as well as any perks that those representatives are able to take advantage of. We absolutely need to be held accountable, both to hold ourselves accountable when we are in office and to be able to answer to the citizens we represent.
Obviously not every bill could be presented on the ballot, or nobody would vote. However, certain issues should be eligible for ballot initiatives so that each voice can be heard and counted. Often times, we see that the public opinion differs vastly from decisions made by our legislators, and that shouldn't be the case.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 16, 2024
Current members of the Minnesota State Senate
Leadership
Senate President:Bobby Champion
Majority Leader:Erin Murphy
Minority Leader:Mark Johnson
Senators
District 1
Mark Johnson (R)
District 2
Steve Green (R)
District 3
Grant Hauschild (D)
District 4
Rob Kupec (D)
District 5
Paul Utke (R)
District 6
Keri Heintzeman (R)
District 7
District 8
Jen McEwen (D)
District 9
Jordan Rasmusson (R)
District 10
Nathan Wesenberg (R)
District 11
Jason Rarick (R)
District 12
Torrey Westrom (R)
District 13
Jeff Howe (R)
District 14
Aric Putnam (D)
District 15
Gary Dahms (R)
District 16
Andrew Lang (R)
District 17
Glenn Gruenhagen (R)
District 18
Nick Frentz (D)
District 19
John Jasinski (R)
District 20
Steve Drazkowski (R)
District 21
Bill Weber (R)
District 22
Rich Draheim (R)
District 23
Gene Dornink (R)
District 24
Carla Nelson (R)
District 25
Liz Boldon (D)
District 26
Jeremy Miller (R)
District 27
Andrew Mathews (R)
District 28
Mark Koran (R)
District 29
District 30
Eric Lucero (R)
District 31
Calvin Bahr (R)
District 32
Michael Kreun (R)
District 33
Karin Housley (R)
District 34
John Hoffman (D)
District 35
Jim Abeler (R)
District 36
District 37
Warren Limmer (R)
District 38
Susan Pha (D)
District 39
District 40
John Marty (D)
District 41
Judy Seeberger (D)
District 42
Bonnie Westlin (D)
District 43
Ann Rest (D)
District 44
Tou Xiong (D)
District 45
Ann Stewart (D)
District 46
Ron Latz (D)
District 47
District 48
Julia Coleman (R)
District 49
Steve Cwodzinski (D)
District 50
Alice Mann (D)
District 51
Melissa Wiklund (D)
District 52
Jim Carlson (D)
District 53
Matt Klein (D)
District 54
Eric Pratt (R)
District 55
Lindsey Port (D)
District 56
Erin Maye Quade (D)
District 57
Zach Duckworth (R)
District 58
Bill Lieske (R)
District 59
Bobby Champion (D)
District 60
Doron Clark (D)
District 61
Scott Dibble (D)
District 62
Omar Fateh (D)
District 63
Zaynab Mohamed (D)
District 64
Erin Murphy (D)
District 65
Sandra Pappas (D)
District 66
District 67
Foung Hawj (D)
Democratic Party (34)
Republican Party (33)
