Ruth Bittner, Lone Republican In Minnesota House Special Election, Emphasizes “Stability and Security”

Ruth Bittner, Lone Republican In Minnesota House Special Election, Emphasizes “Stability and Security”

July 27, 2025

BROOKLYN PARK, MN — With Minnesota’s political landscape still reeling from the tragic assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, the special election to fill the vacant House District 34B seat has taken on extraordinary weight.

Republican candidate Ruth Bittner, a Brooklyn Park business owner and real estate agent, is the only GOP contender in the race and has centered her campaign on restoring what she describes as a growing public desire for "stability and security."The special election was called by Governor Tim Walz shortly after the June tragedy, and is scheduled for September 16, 2025. House District 34B includes portions of Brooklyn Park, Champlin, and Coon Rapids, areas that have long leaned Democratic. Hortman had held the seat since 2005 and was re-elected in 2024 by a margin of nearly 27 percentage points, securing more than 60% of the vote in her recent elections.

A Platform Rooted in Public Trust

Bittner, who will automatically advance to the general election as the only Republican to file, has positioned her campaign around three central pillars:

• Fiscal responsibility in state budgeting,
• Safety and security in Minnesota communities,
• Educational excellence in schools across the state.

“All Minnesotans are still shocked at the tragedy of [Hortman's] death,” Bittner said in a campaign statement. “We appreciate her service and the dedication she brought to her role in serving this state.” She added that voters are seeking steady leadership and a new voice that can represent shared priorities while reaching across partisan divides.

This election marks Bittner’s first bid for public office, though she has been active locally, including volunteering for school board campaigns. She has framed her candidacy as focused on pragmatic governance rather than partisan politics:
“I want to be a voice in the legislature that represents all people and is willing to reach across the aisle to negotiate for the good of all, even when issues are difficult.”

Bittner also noted that many residents in the district have expressed fatigue with polarizing debates and instead crave practical solutions that ensure neighborhood safety, educational opportunity, and responsible fiscal management.

Three DFL Candidates Headed to August 12 Primary

While Bittner bypasses a Republican primary, three Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidates are competing for their party’s nomination in the August 12 primary:

• Xp Lee, a health equity strategist and former Brooklyn Park City Council Member, is the DFL-endorsed candidate and has focused his platform on abortion access, affordable healthcare, and equity-driven education policy.
• Christian Eriksen, a current Brooklyn Park City Council Member and former Human Rights Commissioner, has prioritized affordable housing, public safety reform, and expanding access to early childhood education.
• Erickson Saye, a Hennepin County prosecutor and former Walz administration official, has emphasized juvenile justice reform, violence prevention, and increasing access to quality childcare and workforce housing.

Each of the DFL candidates has expressed deep respect for Hortman's legacy while acknowledging the weight this moment holds in light of her sudden and violent death. The victor of the DFL primary will advance to face Bittner in the September 16 general election.

Implications for Statehouse Control

Though District 34B has long been considered safe for Democrats, the outcome of this special election could shift the balance of power in the Minnesota House. Republicans currently hold a narrow 67–66 majority, meaning a DFL win in this district would result in a tied chamber (67–67) heading into the 2026 regular session.

Given the compressed election timeline and lower turnout typically seen in special elections, both parties are expected to invest heavily in mobilizing their bases.

Key Dates

Absentee and early in-person voting for both the primary and general election will be available through local city halls and county election offices in Anoka and Hennepin counties.

A District in Mourning — and Transition

The campaign to succeed Speaker Emerita Hortman is unfolding in the shadow of tragedy, but also at a pivotal moment for the state’s legislative direction. Bittner’s entry as the only Republican offers voters a clear general election contrast, while the Democratic primary field showcases a diversity of backgrounds and progressive priorities.

As voters in Brooklyn Park, Champlin, and Coon Rapids prepare to cast their ballots, the race for House District 34B has become more than a contest for one legislative seat — it is now a referendum on leadership, healing, and the kind of future Minnesotans envision in the wake of loss.

MinneapoliMedia