Nov. 4 special elections will decide control of Minnesota Senate

📌 Key Facts

With two special elections on Nov. 4, control of the Minnesota Senate is at stake: the chamber is reported at 33 DFL and 32 GOP; if Republicans win both specials they would gain a one‑seat majority, while a DFL hold in either race would preserve a 34‑seat DFL majority.
The two vacancies arose after DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell resigned following felony burglary convictions (SD47) and Republican Sen. Bruce Anderson died in July at age 75 (SD29).
SD47 (Woodbury and south Maplewood) has recently favored Democrats by double digits but is viewed as the more competitive contest; DFL candidate Amanda Hemmingsen‑Jaeger emphasizes lowering health and child‑care costs, environmental protection and concerns about federal immigration crackdowns and spending cuts, and has degrees in cell biology, genetics and environmental policy and prior work at Minnesota’s Departments of Public Safety and Human Services; Republican Dwight Dorau is a retired Air Force colonel who served in Afghanistan, lost to Mitchell by 18 points in 2022, stresses alleged fraud and recent spending growth under DFL control, emphasizes ethics and has generally avoided attacking Mitchell directly.
SD29 (most of Wright County and parts of Meeker and Hennepin counties) features Republican Michael Holmstrom Jr. — a small business owner and longtime Wright County GOP volunteer who emphasizes pro‑life positions, defending girls’ sports and parental decision‑making in education — and DFLer Louis McNutt, a MnDOT equipment mechanic and AFSCME Local 221 union leader who centers his campaign on cost‑of‑living concerns.
Republicans are highlighting ongoing investigations into Medicaid fraud in state programs as a campaign issue, while Democrats say their voters are motivated by national dynamics such as President Trump’s second term.
If Amanda Hemmingsen‑Jaeger wins SD47, Gov. Tim Walz would need to call a special election to fill her Woodbury‑area House seat.
Even if Republicans flip the Senate, their ability to enact new laws next year would be limited because the Minnesota House is evenly divided and the two‑year state budget is already set through June 30, 2027.
Voting details voters should know: polls open 7 a.m.–8 p.m., same‑day registration is available, and election officials recommend dropping off absentee ballots in person because of timing concerns.

📚 Contextual Background

Minnesota has the largest population of Somalis in the United States.

💬 Social Media Perspectives

Social media users on X frequently highlight the Feeding Our Future scandal, where over $250 million in federal funds meant for child nutrition were allegedly stolen under DFL governance, as a key example of unchecked fraud that Republicans like Dwight Dorau are using to argue for change in SD47.
Many X posts criticize the DFL's handling of a multi-billion dollar state surplus, claiming it was squandered through excessive spending and fraud in programs like Medicaid, tying this to broader calls for fiscal accountability in the special elections.
Perspectives on X emphasize Republican demands for federal investigations into Minnesota's Medicaid fraud, pointing to ignored warnings and a lack of oversight under Gov. Tim Walz, which they argue motivates voters to support GOP candidates in SD47 and SD29.
Users on X often discuss how DFL policies have allegedly created welfare systems prone to fraud, serving as a mechanism for wealth redistribution, and contrast this with Republican promises to eliminate waste and protect taxpayer dollars.
X conversations frequently link the special elections to ongoing fraud issues in health and human services, with posts from state employees and Republicans calling for external audits to address billions in potential losses, framing it as a fight for good governance over partisan politics.

Based on 4 sources

📰 Sources (4)

Minnesota Senate control up for grabs in special elections

Nathaniel Minor November 04, 2025

New information:

If Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger wins SD47, her Woodbury-area House seat would require another special election in the coming months.
Republicans are highlighting ongoing investigations into Medicaid fraud in state programs as a campaign issue; Democrats argue their base is motivated under Trump’s second term.
Candidate context: Dwight Dorau emphasizes ethics on his website and avoided attacking Nicole Mitchell directly, saying he felt bad for her and was glad she received work release; Hemmingsen-Jaeger says voters are focused on health care and grocery costs rather than Mitchell’s resignation.

Voters will decide Tuesday who controls the Minnesota Senate. Here’s what you need to know.

Minnesota Reformer by Michelle Griffith November 03, 2025

New information:

Context that a GOP-controlled Senate would see limited new laws next year due to an evenly divided House and a budget already set through June 30, 2027.
If Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger wins SD47, Gov. Tim Walz would need to call a special election to fill her House seat.
Expanded candidate bios: Hemmingsen-Jaeger’s degrees in cell biology, genetics and environmental policy; prior work at the Departments of Public Safety and Human Services.
Dwight Dorau is a retired Air Force colonel who served in Afghanistan and lost to Nicole Mitchell by 18 points in 2022.
Michael Holmstrom Jr. emphasizes pro-life activism and positions on 'defending girls’ sports' and parental decision-making in education; small business owner and longtime Wright County GOP volunteer.
Louis McNutt is a MnDOT equipment mechanic and AFSCME Local 221 union leader; cost of living is his campaign centerpiece.
Detailed how-to-vote guidance: poll hours (7 a.m.–8 p.m.), same-day registration options, and recommendation to drop off absentee ballots in person due to timing.

Special elections to decide whether DFL, GOP control MN Senate

Twin Cities by Alex Derosier October 31, 2025

New information:

With two vacancies, the Senate stands at 33 DFL and 32 GOP; if Republicans win both specials they gain a one‑seat majority, while a DFL hold in either race preserves a 34‑seat DFL majority.
SD47 (Woodbury and south Maplewood) has favored Democrats by double digits recently but is considered the more competitive contest.
Candidate platforms in SD47: Hemmingsen‑Jaeger emphasizes lowering health and child‑care costs, environmental protection, and concerns about federal immigration crackdowns and spending cuts; Dorau cites alleged fraud in state programs and recent spending growth under DFL control as reasons for change.
Vacancy origins: Nicole Mitchell (DFL) resigned after felony burglary convictions (SD47); Bruce Anderson (R) died in July at age 75 (SD29).
SD29 geography recap: most of Wright County and parts of Meeker and Hennepin counties; candidates are Republican Michael Holmstrom Jr. and DFLer Louis McNutt.

What to expect in Minnesota on Election Day

Twin Cities by Associated Press October 30, 2025