View source for Minnesota State Senate District 6 special election, 2025

{{Electionbanner 2025 local|State=Minnesota}}{{Specelec2025toc}}
<section begin=intro/>[[Keri Heintzeman]] (R) defeated [[Denise Slipy]] (D) in the special election for [[Minnesota State Senate District 6|District 6]] of the [[Minnesota State Senate|Minnesota Senate]] on April 29, 2025, winning 60% of the vote to Slipy's 40%.<ref>[https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/04/29/minnesota-senate-district-6-special-election-heintzeman-slipy ''MPR News'', "Republican Keri Heintzeman wins special election to fill a Minnesota Senate vacancy in District 6," April 29, 2025]</ref> The previous incumbent, [[Justin Eichorn]] (R), resigned on March 20, 2025, after his arrest for allegedly attempting to solicit a minor for sex.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-senate-republicans-motion-to-expel-eichorn/ ''CBS News'', "GOP state Sen. Justin Eichorn resigns after federal charge accusing him of soliciting a minor for sex," March 21, 2025]</ref> 

In the [[Minnesota State Senate elections, 2022|2022 Senate elections]], the chamber changed from a one-seat Republican majority to a one-seat Democratic majority. The District 6 vacancy created a temporary 34-32 Democratic majority. Heintzeman's victory returned the chamber to a 34-33 Democratic majority.

The district switched to Republican control in 2022, when Eichorn, who previously represented [[Minnesota State Senate District 5|District 5]], won the seat following redistricting and long-time incumbent [[David Tomassoni|David Tomassoni's]] (D) death.<ref>[https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/08/12/iron-range-sen-tomassoni-diagnosed-with-als-dies-at-69 ''MPR News'', "Iron Range Sen. Tomassoni, diagnosed with ALS, dies at 69," August 12, 2022]</ref> Tomassoni represented the district from 2001 to 2022. In the 2022 general election, Eichorn defeated [[Steve Samuelson (Minnesota)|Steve Samuelson]] (D) 63.5%-36.4%. In [[Minnesota State Senate elections, 2020|2020]], Tomassoni defeated [[John Moren]] (R) 57%- 42.8%.

Heintzeman was the director of President [[Donald Trump|Donald Trump's]] (R) [[Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2024|2024 campaign]] in [[Minnesota's 8th Congressional District]].<ref name=mr>[https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/04/11/a-house-rep-s-wife-a-senators-son-and-a-congressmans-widow-want-to-replace-the-arrested-senator/ ''Minnesota Reformer'', "A House Rep.’s wife, a senator’s son and a congressman’s widow want to replace the arrested senator," April 11, 2025]</ref> Her husband [[Josh Heintzeman]] (R) {{Greener|start=4/29/2025 9:00pm EST|before=represents|after=represented}} District 6B. Together, they {{Greener|start=4/29/2025 9:00pm EST|before=run|after=ran}} a small business called Up Country Log and {{Greener|start=4/29/2025 9:00pm EST|before=operate|after=operated}} rental properties.<ref name=mp>[https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2025/04/keri-heintzeman-wins-republican-primary-in-senate-district-6/ ''MinnPost'', "Keri Heintzeman wins Republican primary in Senate District 6," April 16, 2025]</ref> Keri Heintzeman said, "I believe this district is blood red and loves President Trump and deserves a senator that will represent those values."<ref name=mr/>

Heintzeman said, "I am running for the Minnesota Senate to champion the values we hold dear — fiscal responsibility, personal freedom and government transparency. Together, we can create an environment where families thrive, businesses grow, and our children have a bright and safe future."<ref name=mp/> Her campaign website also stated, "As a pro-life advocate, she will defend the rights of the unborn and work to promote a culture that respects life at all stages."<ref>[https://heintzemanforsenate.com/ ''Keri Heintzeman 2024 campaign website'', "The Issues," accessed April 16, 2025]</ref>

Slipy {{Greener|start=4/29/2025 9:00pm EST|before=is|after=was}} an environmental health and safety professional, OSHA instructor, and first responder {{Greener|start=4/29/2025 9:00pm EST|before=|after= at the time of the election}}.<ref>[https://slipy4senate.com/meet-denise ''Denise Slipy 2024 campaign website'', "Meet Denise," accessed April 16, 2025]</ref> Slipy said she considered running for [[Minnesota House of Representatives District 6B|District 6B]] of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2026|Minnesota House]] in 2026, but the Senate vacancy changed her path: "Who knew that this was going to happen, right? So it kind of expedited my run."<ref name=bd>[https://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/local/dfler-slipy-joins-race-for-senate-district-6-seat ''Brainerd Dispatch'', "DFLer Slipy joins race for Senate District 6 seat," March 28, 2025]</ref>

Slipy said, "I just want fair labor equity, equity for pay and to build our community back. Brainerd used to be the place to go for jobs. We had Potlatch, we had the railroad, and a lot of those good jobs left here, and now we're resort country, which is fantastic because we do have the most beautiful area, in my opinion, but, yeah, you can't afford to work in the county that you live."<ref name=bd/> Her campaign website listed the environment, the economy, healthcare, education, and mining as key issues.<ref>[https://slipy4senate.com/issues ''Denise Slipy 2024 campaign website'', "What I'll Fight For," accessed April 16, 2025]</ref>

Heading into the special election, Minnesota {{Greener|start=4/29/2025 9:00pm EST|before=has|after=had}} a divided government due to the 67-67 tie formed in the state House by the [[Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2024|2024 elections]]. Democrats [[Minnesota State Senate#Historical party control|gained control]] of the Senate in [[Minnesota State Senate elections, 2022|2022]] for the first time since 2012, and the [[Governor of Minnesota|governor of Minnesota]] {{Greener|start=4/29/2025 9:00pm EST|before=is|after=was}} [[Tim Walz]] (D).<section end=intro/>
==Candidates and election results==
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===Comparison to previous election===
The total turnout in 2025 was 51% of the turnout in the 2022 election. The number of Democratic votes was 56% of the number received in 2022. The number of Republican votes was 49% of the number received in 2022. The [[Margin-of-victory (MOV)|margin of victory]] (MOV) in the special election was 4,375 votes, which was closer than the 2022 MOV (11,173).

The following chart compares the results and total votes between the [[Minnesota State Senate elections, 2022|November 8, 2022]], regular election for this seat and the 2025 special election.

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==Voting information==
'''What {{Greener|start=4/29/2025 8PM CDT|before=is|after=was}} the voter registration deadline?'''
* In-person: April 29, 2025
* By mail: Received by April 8, 2025
* Online: April 8, 2025

'''What {{Greener|start=4/29/2025 8PM CDT|before=is|after=was}} the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?'''
* In-person: April 28, 2025
* By mail: Received by April 28, 2025
* Online: April 28, 2025

'''What {{Greener|start=4/29/2025 8PM CDT|before=is|after=was}} the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?'''
* In-person: April 29, 2025
* By mail: Received by April 29, 2025

'''{{Greener|start=4/29/2025 8PM CDT|before=Is|after=Was}} early voting available to all voters?''' Yes

'''What {{Greener|start=4/29/2025 8PM CDT|before=are|after=were}} the early voting start and end dates?''' April 23-April 28, 2025

'''{{Greener|start=4/29/2025 8PM CDT|before=Are|after=Were}} all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, {{Greener|start=4/29/2025 8PM CDT|before=is|after=was}} a photo or non-photo ID required?''' No

'''When {{Greener|start=4/29/2025 8PM CDT|before=are|after=were}} polls open on Election Day?''' 7:00AM - 8:00PM

==Candidate comparison==
===Candidate profiles===
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===Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses===
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===Campaign ads===
{{CampaignAdsExplainer3}}
===={{bluedot}} Denise Slipy====
{{NoAdsExplainer|Name=Denise Slipy}}
===={{reddot}} Keri Heintzeman====
{{NoAdsExplainer|Name=Keri Heintzeman}}

==Election competitiveness==
===Polls===
::''See also: [[Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls]]''
{{Greener| start=4/29/2025| before={{NoPollsExplainer1 2025}}|after={{NoPollsExplainer2 2025}}}}

==Endorsements==
{{EndorsementsExplainer}}
*[https://slipy4senate.com/endorsements Denise Slipy]

==Election spending==
===Campaign finance===
The tables below contain data from financial reports submitted to state agencies. The data is gathered and made available by [[Ballotpedia:Our partnership with Transparency USA|Transparency USA]]. Transparency USA tracks loans separately from total contributions. View each candidate’s loan totals, if any, by clicking "View More" in the table below and learn more about this data [https://www.transparencyusa.org/data-explanation-for-minnesota here].<br>

{{TUSAScripts2}}<html><tusa-race-stage-summary state="mn" stage-id="293481" token="a8793409"></tusa-race-stage-summary></html>

===Satellite spending===
{{SatelliteSpending2}}

==District analysis==
===District map===
{{DistrictMap2022disclaimerWithRedistricting}}
<APIWidget template="DistrictMap" where=  "districts.id  = 1408 "/>

===Campaign contributions===
{{#lsth:Minnesota State Senate District 6|Campaign contributions}}

==Historical party control==
{{MN Senate History}}

===Trifecta history===
A '''[[State government trifectas|state government trifecta]]''' is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Minnesota was under the following types of trifecta control:

*Democratic trifecta: 2013-2014, 2023
*Republican trifecta: None
*Divided government: 1992-2012, 2015-2022
{{Minnesota Trifectas}}

==Election context==
===Ballot access requirements===
::''See also: [[Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Minnesota]]''
====For major party candidates====
A major party candidate seeking placement on the primary ballot must file an affidavit of candidacy. The affidavit must state the following, regardless of the office being sought:<ref name=mnaffidavit>[https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=204B.06 ''2024 Minnesota Statutes'', "Section 204B.06," accessed March 18, 2025]</ref><ref name=mnmajorpartyguide>[https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/4908/minnesota-campaign-manual.pdf ''Minnesota Secretary of State'', "Minnesota Elections Campaign Manual," accessed March 18, 2025]</ref>
* that the candidate is an eligible voter
* that the candidate has no other affidavit on file as a candidate for any other office at the same primary or next ensuing general election
* that the candidate is 21 years old, or will be at the time he or she assumes office, and that the candidate will maintain a residence in the district in which he or she is seeking election for 30 days prior to the general election
* that the candidate's name as written on the affidavit for ballot designation is the candidate's true name or the name by which he or she is commonly known in the community

The candidate must also include his or her address and telephone number. The candidate must indicate on the affidavit that he or she has either participated in the party's most recent precinct caucus or intends to vote for a majority of the party's candidates at the next ensuing general election. The affidavit includes office-specific information, as well.<ref name=mnaffidavit/><ref name=mnmajorpartyguide/>

In addition the affidavit of candidacy, a major party candidate must either pay a filing fee or submit a petition in lieu of paying the filing fee. Filing fees vary according to the office being sought and are as follows:<ref name=mnmajorpartyguide/><ref name=mnfees>[https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=204B.11 ''2024 Minnesota Statutes'', "Section 204B.11," accessed March 18, 2025]</ref><ref>[https://www.sos.state.mn.us/election-administration-campaigns/become-a-candidate/candidate-filing-fees/ ''Minnesota Secretary of State'', "Candidate Filing Fees," accessed March 18, 2025]</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:auto; margin:auto;"
! colspan="2" align="center" style="background-color:#bd1d27; color: white;" | Filing fees
|-
! valign="bottom" style="background-color:#444; color: white;" | Office
! valign="bottom" style="background-color:#444; color: white;" | Filing fee
|-
| [[Governor of Minnesota|Governor]], [[Attorney General of Minnesota|attorney general]], [[Minnesota Auditor|auditor]], [[Secretary of State of Minnesota|secretary of state]] or [[United States House of Representatives|United States Representative]] || $300
|-
| [[United States Senate|United States Senator]] || $400
|-
| [[Minnesota State Legislature|State legislature]] || $100
|-
|}
<br>
If a candidate elects to submit a petition in lieu of paying the filing fee, the petition must meet the following signature requirements:<ref name=mnmajorpartyguide/><ref name=mnfees/>
<br>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:auto; margin:auto"
! colspan="2" align="center" style="background-color:#bd1d27; color: white;" | Signature requirements for petitions in lieu of filing fees
|-
! valign="bottom" style="background-color:#444; color: white;" | Office
! valign="bottom" style="background-color:#444; color: white;" | Required signatures
|-
| [[Governor of Minnesota|Governor]], [[Attorney General of Minnesota|attorney general]], [[Minnesota Auditor|auditor]], [[Secretary of State of Minnesota|secretary of state]] or [[United States Senate|United States Senator]] || 2,000
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives|United States Representative]] || 1,000
|-
| [[Minnesota State Legislature|State legislature]] || 500
|-
|}
<br>
Candidates must file between the 84th day preceding the primary election and the 70th day preceding the primary. Candidates for federal office must file with the [[Secretary of State of Minnesota|Minnesota Secretary of State]]. A candidate for state-level office may file with the county auditor of his or her county of residence or the Minnesota Secretary of State.<ref name=mnmajorpartyguide/><ref name=mnwherefile>[https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=204B.09#stat.204B.09 ''2013 Minnesota Statutes'', "Section 204B.09," accessed March 18, 2025]</ref>

====For minor party and independent candidates====
A minor party or independent candidate seeking placement on the general election ballot must file an affidavit of candidacy meeting the same specifications as that filed by a major party candidate. Instead of including the name of his or her political party, an independent candidate may designate a non-recognized party or political principle, provided that the designation is made in three words or less and does not suggest similarity with an existing recognized party.<ref name=mnaffidavit/><ref name=mnindieguide>[https://www.sos.state.mn.us/election-administration-campaigns/become-a-candidate/candidate-petitions/ ''Minnesota Secretary of State'', "Candidate Petitions," accessed March 18, 2025]</ref>

A minor party or independent candidate must also submit a nominating petition. For federal or statewide offices, signatures must equal either 1 percent of the total number of individuals who voted in the state at the last preceding state general election, or 2,000, whichever is less. For congressional office, signatures must equal either 5 percent of the total number of individuals who voted in the district at the last preceding state general election, or 1,000, whichever is less. For state legislative office, signatures must equal either 10 percent of the total number of individuals who voted in the legislative district at the last preceding state general election, or 500, whichever is less.<ref name=mnindieguide/><ref name=mnsigningpetitions>[https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=204B.08 ''2025 Minnesota Statutes'', "Section 204B.08," accessed March 18, 2025]</ref><ref name=mnresults/>

In addition to the affidavit of candidacy and nominating petition, a minor party or independent candidate is liable for the same filing fee as a major party candidate. A nominating petition may be used in lieu of paying the filing fee, but the petition must include a prominent statement informing signers that the petition will be used in this way.<ref name=mnfees/><ref name=mnindieguide/>

Candidates must file between the 84th day preceding the primary election and the 70th day preceding the primary. Candidates for federal office must file with the [[Secretary of State of Minnesota|Minnesota Secretary of State]]. A candidate for state-level office may file with the county auditor of his or her county of residence or the Minnesota Secretary of State.<ref name=mnwherefile>[https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=204B.09#stat.204B.09 ''2025 Minnesota Statutes'', "Section 204B.09," accessed March 25, 2025]</ref><ref name=mnindieguide/>

====For write-in candidates====
A write-in candidate must file a written request in order to have his or her votes tallied. Such requests must be filed no later than the seventh day before the general election. Write-in candidates for federal office must submit their requests to the Minnesota Secretary of State. A write-in candidate for state-level office may submit the request to the county auditor of his or her county of residence or the Minnesota Secretary of State.<ref>[https://www.sos.state.mn.us/election-administration-campaigns/become-a-candidate/write-in-candidates/ ''Minnesota Secretary of State'', "Election Administration & Campaigns," accessed March 18, 2025]</ref><ref name=mnwherefile/>

===District election history===
====2022====
::''See also: [[Minnesota State Senate elections, 2022]]''

<APIWidget where='races.id=58816' template='ElectionSection' extra_params='{"type":"all"}' />
====2020====
::''See also: [[Minnesota State Senate elections, 2020]]''
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====2016====
{{MN SD6 2016}}

====2012====
:: ''See also: [[Minnesota State Senate elections, 2012]]''

Elections for the [[Minnesota State Senate]] consisted of a primary election on August 14, 2012, and a general election on [[State legislative elections, 2012|November 6, 2012]]. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 5, 2012. Incumbent [[David Tomassoni]] (D) defeated [[Brandon D. Anderson]] (R) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.<ref>[http://minnesotaelectionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20121106 ''Minnesota Secretary of State'', "Official 2012 General Election Results," accessed November 12, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://minnesotaelectionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20120814 ''Minnesota Secretary of State'', "Official 2012 Primary Election Results," accessed November 12, 2013]</ref>

{{Election box 2012
|Collapse =
|Chamber = Minnesota State Senate, District 6, General Election
|party1 = Democratic
|party2 = Republican
|party3 = 
|winner1 = David Tomassoni
|Inc1 = Y
|candidate2 = Brandon Anderson
|candidate3 = 
|votes1 = 30882
|votes2 = 12220
|votes3 = 
}}
{{Battlegrounds2025}}
==See also==
[[Minnesota state legislative special elections, 2025]]

==External links==
{{Google}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

{{Minnesota}}
{{state legislatures}}

[[Category:State legislative special elections, 2025]]
[[Category:2025 elections]]
[[Category:State legislatures]]
[[Category:Marquee, buildout complete, 2025]]
[[Marquee, completed election, 2025]]