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Special Election Scheduled For Sept. 16 To Fill Late Rep. Melissa Hortman’s House Seat
Special Election Scheduled For Sept. 16 To Fill Late Rep. Melissa Hortman’s House Seat
BROOKLYN PARK, MN — A special election has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 16, 2025, to fill the vacant Minnesota House of Representatives seat formerly held by the late Rep. Melissa Hortman, the longtime legislator and former Speaker Emerita who was tragically killed alongside her husband in a targeted shooting last month.
Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ of special election on Thursday, officially calling for voters in District 34B—which covers portions of Brooklyn Park and surrounding communities—to choose a successor who will serve the remainder of Hortman’s term.
Primary Set for August If Needed
If more than one candidate from a major political party files to run, a special primary election will be held on Tuesday, August 19 to determine the party nominees.
The candidate filing period opened at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, July 11, and will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office.
A Seat with Legacy and Loss
Rep. Hortman, a DFL lawmaker first elected in 2004, was serving her 11th term in the Minnesota House when she and her husband, Vance Opperman, were fatally shot at their Brooklyn Park residence on June 17. The same night, Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were seriously wounded in a related attack at their Champlin home.
The shootings sent shockwaves through Minnesota’s political community and led to the postponement of several legislative meetings. The Minnesota House observed a moment of silence in honor of Hortman’s service during its next session.
As Speaker Emerita, Hortman had been a central figure in shaping recent legislative sessions and was known for her fierce advocacy on issues ranging from environmental protection to education equity.
Community Prepares for a New Voice
District 34B has been a stronghold for the DFL in recent election cycles, but the upcoming special election could draw broad attention and a potentially crowded field. Candidates from all parties have begun expressing interest, although no official declarations have yet been made public.
Voters in the district will elect someone to serve the remainder of Hortman’s current term, which runs through early January 2027. The winner of the September special election would still need to run again in the 2026 general election to secure a full two-year term.
Key Dates to Remember
- Candidate Filing Period: July 11–July 15, 2025
- Special Primary Election (if needed): August 19, 2025
- Special General Election: September 16, 2025
For more information on voter registration, absentee voting, or candidate filing, residents are encouraged to visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.state.mn.us.
