Legislative Update Minnesota | August 19, 2024

Here are results from some of the state’s top contested primaries as reported by MorningTake:

Federal Offices 

• SENATE (R) - Royce White beats Joe Fraser, 38% to 29%
• CD2 (R) - Joe Teirab beats Tayler Rahm, 76% to 24%
• CD5 (D) - Rep. Ilhan Omar beats Don Samuels, 56% to 43%
• CD7 (R) - Rep. Michelle Fischbach beats Steve Boyd, 65% to 35%

There is one State Senate Race, which is a special election to fill the seat of Sen. Morrison, who is running for Congress:

• SD45 (D) - Ann Johnson Stewart beats Emily Reitan, 59% to 39%

State House Races:

• 6B (R) - Rep. Josh Heintzeman beats Matthew Zinda, 91% to 9%
• 8A (D) - Peter Johnson beats Jordon Johnson, 83% to 17% 
• 9A (R) - Rep. Jeff Backer beats Boone Carlson, 65% to 35%
• 10A (R) - Rep. Ron Kresha beats Diane Webb-Skillings, 50.6% to 49.4%
• 17A (R) - Rep. Dawn Gillman beats Wayne Olson, 83% to 17%
• 26A (D) - Sarah Kruger beats Dwayne Voegeli, 52% to 48%
• 26B (R) - Rep. Gregory Davids beats Gary Steuart, 55% to 45% NOTE: Rep. Davids is a long-time insurance agent and legislator and a big supporter of our industry.
• 28A (R) - James Gordon beats Rep. Brian Johnson, 66% to 34% NOTE: Rep. Brian Johnson is the only legislator to lose in their primary election.
• 36B (D) - Rep. Brion Curran beats T.J. Malaskee, 62% to 38%
• 38A (D) - Huldah Hiltsley beats Wynfred Russell, 51% to 49%
• 41A (R) - Wayne Johnson beats Grayson McNew, 54% to 46%
• 61A (D) - Katie Jones beats Will Stancil and Isabel Rolfes, 43% to 37% to 20%

Now that the Primary Elections are Done – Here is how to make your voice heard in the General Election

Minnesota's early and absentee voting makes it easy to make your voice heard. Avoid scheduling time on Election Day and utilize the flexibility of early and absentee voting to ensure your vote is counted in the critical 2024 elections!

Here are the details on absentee voting, from the Minnesota Secretary of State:

ABSENTEE BALLOT
In Minnesota, you don’t have to wait until Election Day—vote early with an absentee ballot!

VOTE EARLY IN PERSON

You can cast an absentee ballot at your local elections office starting 46 days before Election Day. Visit mnvotes.gov (https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/) for hours and locations.

VOTE EARLY BY MAIL

1. You can also apply to have an absentee ballot sent to you in the mail. You must return your ballot by Election Day.
2. Apply for a ballot any time during the year at mnvotes.gov/absentee (https://mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/abrequest/index) Election officials will send voting materials once ballots are available (see below for dates).
3. Read the instructions that come with your ballot carefully! Your ballot will not count if you do not complete all the forms.
4. You will need a witness when you vote and complete your ballot. The witness can be either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary. Your witness must sign the signature envelope and list their address. 

VOTE EARLY BY ABSENTEE BALLOT

1. If you are not registered to vote, you will get a registration application in your materials. To register, show your witness one of the identification options listed in the instructions. Your witness must mark which ID you showed them on your signature envelope.
2. After you finish, mail the ballot and forms back right away. Your ballot will not count if it is received after Election Day. You can also return your ballot in person to the elections office that sent your ballot.

TRACK YOUR BALLOT
All absentee ballots that are received on time and had the forms filled out correctly will be counted. Visit mnvotes.gov/track (https://mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/abstatus/index) to confirm your ballot was received and counted

September 20 - November 4
Vote by mail or in person for the general election

October 15
Register in advance by October 15 to save time on Election Day

November 5
Election Day 2024

How did your legislators vote?

The Minnesota Chamber tracks hundreds of bills during each legislative session to ensure that policymakers understand how their proposals impact Minnesota’s economy and the state’s ability to make Minnesota a more affordable place to live, work, grow and expand a business. The Chamber scores votes on bills or amendments that illustrate this impact. The following votes were cast in the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions.

CLICK HERE (https://mnchamber.com/2023-24-legislative-voting-record)

The National Federation of Independent Businesses also scores legislator votes. You can find their ratings for Minnesota legislators HERE (https://www.nfib.com/minnesota/voting-record/ )

NAIFA  - Minnesota Lobbyist
Tim Wilkin
President
Capitol Strategies, Inc.
E: tim@csinc-mn.com