Minnesota is holding a special primary for State House District 11B on March 5, 2019. The general election is scheduled for March 19. The election was called after former Rep. Jason Rarick (R) won a special election for District 11 of the Minnesota State Senate on February 5, 2019.

 

Prior to joining the state Senate, Rarick served in the state House from 2015 to 2019. He won the state House seat by defeating former incumbent Tim Faust (D) in the 2014 election.

 

One Democrat and six Republicans filed for the seat, but four Republican candidates withdrew from the race following the Republican Party’s endorsement of Nathan Nelson. Candidates Ayrlahn Johnson and Nelson are competing in the Republican primary, and the winner will face Tim Burkhardt (D) in the general election.

 

As of March, 44 state legislative special elections have been scheduled or held in 18 states. Between 2011 and 2018, an average of 77 special elections took place each year. Entering 2019, the Minnesota House of Representatives had 75 Democrats and 59 Republicans. A majority in the chamber requires 68 seats. Minnesota has a divided government, meaning no political party simultaneously holds the governor’s office and both state legislative chambers.