Minnesota state legislative special elections, 2015

2016 →

<- 2014

2015 State Legislative
Special Elections

* * *

States
Arkansas • California
Connecticut • Delaware • Florida
Georgia • Iowa
Kentucky • Louisiana
Maine • Massachusetts • Michigan
Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri
New Hampshire • New Jersey
New York • Oklahoma
Pennsylvania • Rhode Island
South Carolina • Tennessee
Texas • Utah
Virginia • Washington
Wisconsin

* * *

Other 2015 Election coverage
Filing deadlines • Statewide elections
State legislative elections
Gubernatorial elections • Ballot measures

## Contents

* 1 Breakdown of 2015 special elections
* 2 How vacancies are filled
* 3 Special elections
* 3.1 November 3, 2015
* 3.2 December 8, 2015
* 4 See also
* 5 Footnotes

In 2015, two seats were vacated and filled by special elections in the Minnesota State Legislature. The following districts had a vacancy in 2015:

* State House District 46A: The seat was vacant following Ryan Winkler's (D) resignation on July 1.

* State House District 3A: The seat was vacant following David Dill's (D) death from cancer on August 8.

#### Breakdown of 2015 special elections[edit]

In 2015, the reasons prompting state legislative special elections were as follows:

* 38 due to appointment, election or seeking election to another position
* 14 due to a retirement
* 15 due to the incumbent accepting another job
* 1 due to an invalidated 2014 election result
* 1 due to a disqualification in the 2014 elections
* 9 due to a death
* 6 due to legal issues
* 3 due to moving
* 2 due to filling a remaining term

The partisan breakdown for vacancies were as follows:

* 42 Democratic seats
* 46 Republican seats
* 1 Independent seat

Note: This table reflects information for elections that were held and not total vacant seats.

Partisan Change from Special Elections

Party  | As of Vacancy  | After Special Election
| Democratic Party | 42  | 38*
| Republican Party | 46  | 50*
| Independent  | 1  | 1
Total |  89  |  89

*In 2015, Democrats lost nine seats in special elections, but gained six seats. Republicans lost five seats in special elections, but gained eight seats.
*Although Edwin Gomes won election to the Connecticut State Senate as a Working Families Party candidate, after swearing in he was listed as a Democratic senator.
*Although Diane Richardson won election to the New York State Assembly as a Working Families Party candidate, after swearing in she was listed as a Democratic representative.
*Although Jay Mathis won election to the Mississippi House of Representatives as a Nonpartisan candidate, after swearing in he was listed as a Republican representative.

#### How vacancies are filled[edit]

Vacancies in the Minnesota State Legislature are filled through election. If there are more than 150 days before the next state general election, and the legislature will not be in session before the results are canvassed, then any vacancy is filled at the next state general election.[1][2]

If the vacancy happens during the legislative session, the governor has five days to issue a writ calling for a special election. The election must take place no more than 35 days after the issuance of the writ. If the legislature is out of session and there are fewer than 150 days before the next state general election, the governor must call for a special election so the winner of the election can take office when the legislature reconvenes.[2][3]

See sources: Minnesota Cons. Art. 4, § 4 and Minnesota Stat. § 204D.19

## Special elections[edit]

### November 3, 2015[edit]

☑ Minnesota House of Representatives District 46A|

|

See also: Minnesota state legislative special elections, 2015

Peggy Flanagan was unopposed in the special election on November 3.[4]

The seat was vacant following Ryan Winkler's (D) resignation on July 1.[5]

A special election for the position of Minnesota House of Representatives District 46A was called for November 3. A primary election was scheduled for August 11, but since only one candidate filed for election, the primary election was canceled. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 22.[6]

November 3 Special election candidates:

Peggy Flanagan

### December 8, 2015[edit]

☑ Minnesota House of Representatives District 3A|

|

See also: Minnesota state legislative special elections, 2015

A special election for the position of Minnesota House of Representatives District 3A was called for December 8. A primary election was held on September 29. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was August 31.[7]

The seat was vacant following David Dill's (D) death from cancer on August 8.[8]

Rob Ecklund defeated Heidi Omerza, Eric Johnson and Bill Hansen in the Democratic primary. Roger Skraba was unopposed in the Republican primary. Kelsey Johnson ran as an independent candidate.[9] Ecklund defeated Skraba and Johnson (I) in the special general election.[7][10][11]

| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 3A, Special Election, 2015

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Democratic  | Rob Ecklund | 63.4% | 4,591
| Republican  |  Roger Skraba  | 19.3% | 1,399
| Independent  |  Kelsey Johnson  | 15.8% | 1,144
| Other  |  Write-ins  | 1.5% | 109
Total Votes | 7,243

September 29 Democratic primary candidates:

* Rob Ecklund a
* Heidi Omerza
* Eric Johnson
* Bill Hansen

September 29 Republican primary candidates:

* Roger Skraba a

December 8 Special election candidates:
Rob Ecklund
Roger Skraba
Kelsey Johnson (independent)

## See also[edit]

* State legislative special elections, 2015
* Minnesota State Senate elections, 2016
* Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2014
* Minnesota State Senate elections, 2012
* Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2012
* Minnesota State Legislature
* Minnesota state legislative special elections: 2013, 2012, 2011

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, "Constitution of the State of Minnesota," accessed February 12, 2021 (Article 4, Section 4)
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, "2020 Minnesota Statutes," accessed February 12, 2021 (Statute 204D.19 (1)-(3))
3. ↑ Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, "2020 Minnesota Statutes," accessed February 12, 2021 (Statute 204B.13)
4. ↑ Minnesota Public Radio, "Flanagan running unopposed for Winkler’s seat," accessed June 23, 2015
5. ↑ winonadailynews.com, "Winkler's resignation from Legislature effective July 1," accessed June 15, 2015
6. ↑ State of Minnesota, "Writ of Special election," accessed June 17, 2015
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "State Legislative District 3A Special Election," accessed August 24, 2015
8. ↑ Lake County News-Chronicle, "State Rep. David Dill remember by local officials," accessed August 17, 2015
9. ↑ Twincities.com, "Rob Ecklund wins northeast Minnesota special House seat primary," accessed September 30, 2015
10. ↑ Duluth News Tribune, "Ecklund wins Minnesota House District 3A seat," accessed December 9, 2015
11. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Official special election results," accessed December 15, 2015

State legislatures

Legislatures

Alabama (H, S) · Alaska (H, S) · Arizona (H, S) · Arkansas (H, S) · California (A, S) · Colorado (H, S) · Connecticut (H, S) · Delaware (H, S) · Florida (H, S) · Georgia (H, S) · Hawaii (H, S) · Idaho (H, S) · Illinois (H, S) · Indiana (H, S) · Iowa (H, S) · Kansas (H, S) · Kentucky (H, S) · Louisiana (H, S) · Maine (H, S) · Maryland (H, S) · Massachusetts (H, S) · Michigan (H, S) · Minnesota (H, S) · Mississippi (H, S) · Missouri (H, S) · Montana (H, S) · Nebraska · Nevada (A, S) · New Hampshire (H, S) · New Jersey (GA, S) · New Mexico (H, S) · New York (A, S) · North Carolina (H, S) · North Dakota (H, S) · Ohio (H, S) · Oklahoma (H, S) · Oregon (H, S) · Pennsylvania (H, S) · Rhode Island (H, S) · South Carolina (H, S) · South Dakota (H, S) · Tennessee (H, S) · Texas (H, S) · Utah (H, S) · Vermont (H, S) · Virginia (H, S) · Washington (H, S) · West Virginia (H, S) · Wisconsin (A, S) · Wyoming (H, S)

2026

State legislative elections (2026) • State legislative special elections (2026) • Primary dates and filing requirements • 2026 Session Dates

2025

State legislative elections (2025) • State legislative special elections (2025) • Primary dates and filing requirements • 2025 Session Dates

Historical elections

2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 • 2004 • 2003 • 2002 • 2001 • 2000

Features of state legislatures

How vacancies are filled in state legislatures • States with a full-time legislature • State legislatures with term limits • Comparison of state legislative salaries • When state legislators assume office after a general election • Population represented by state legislators • State constitutional articles governing state legislatures • State legislative sessions • Resign-to-run law • State legislature candidate requirements by state • Official names of state legislatures • State legislative chambers that use multi-member districts • Factors Affecting Competitiveness in State Legislative Elections

State senates

Length of terms of state senators • State senators • Partisan composition of state senates • State senators sorted by year first elected

State houses

Length of terms of state representatives • State representatives • Partisan composition of state houses • State representatives sorted by year first elected

Leadership positions

President of the Senate • President Pro Tempore • Senate Majority Leader • Senate Minority Leader • House Majority Leader • House Minority Leader • State Speaker of the House

Ballotpedia

About

Overview • What people are saying • Support Ballotpedia • Contact • Contribute • Job opportunities

* * *

Executive: Leslie Graves, Founder and CEO • Gwen Beattie, Chief Operating Officer

Communications: Alison Graves, Director of Communications • Carley Allensworth • Abigail Campbell • Sarah Groat • Nathaniel Harwood • Dillon Redmond
External Relations:  Geoff Pallay, Director of External Relations • Ken Carbullido, Vice President of Election Product and Technology Strategy • Ashley Fleming • Thomas Mardik • Hannah Nelson
Operations: Meghann Olshefski, Director of Operations • Amanda Herbert • Mandy Morris • Caroline Presnell • Kelly Rindfleisch
Tech: Matt Latourelle, Director of Technology Operations • Ryan Burch • Kirsten Corrao • Beth Dellea • Travis Eden • Tate Kamish • Margaret Kearney • Eric Lotto • Joseph Sanchez • Mary Susmitha

Contributors: Scott Rasmussen

* * *

Editorial Content

Josh Altic, Director of Content • Daniel Anderson, Associate Director of Elections & Data • Cory Eucalitto, Associate Director of Features • Ryan Byrne, Managing Editor of Ballot Measures • Mandy McConnell, Managing Editor of News • Doug Kronaizl, Managing Editor of Local Expansion • Abbey Smith, Managing Editor of Elections • Janie Valentine, Managing Editor of Law • Joel Williams, Managing Editor of Events • Joseph Greaney, Managing Editor of Policy • Andrew Bahl • Jaclyn Beran • Marielle Bricker • Joseph Brusgard • Emma Burlingame • Kelly Coyle • Jon Dunn • Victoria Edwards • Thomas Ellis • Nicole Fisher • Thomas Grobben • Brianna Hosea • Molly Kehoe • Tyler King • Glorie Martinez • Norm Leahy, Senior Editor • Nathan Maxwell • Brandon McCauley • Andrew McNair • Ellie Mikus • Mackenzie Murphy • Kaley Platek • Samantha Post • Adam Powell • Annelise Reinwald • Spencer Richardson • Victoria Rose • Briana Ryan • Myj Saintyl • Maddy Salucka • Emma Soukup • Alexis Thacker • Mina Vogel • Samuel Wonacott • Trenton Woodcox • Heather Yates

v • e

State of Minnesota
St. Paul (capital)

|

Elections |

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2026 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

Government |

Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy